Who is a Heart Surgery Anaesthetist?
A Heart Surgery Anaesthetist is a specialist doctor who makes sure you are completely asleep, comfortable, and safe throughout your heart operation. They carefully monitor your breathing, heartbeat, and overall wellbeing from the moment you go to sleep until you wake up after surgery. If you have been told you need heart surgery, this specialist will be right by your side every step of the way.
Duties and Responsibilities of a Heart Surgery Anaesthetist
When to See a Heart Surgery Anaesthetist
You should consider booking an consultation if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms or conditions:
- You have been told you need open-heart surgery
- You are scheduled for a heart bypass operation
- You need a heart valve repair or replacement
- You have a hole in your heart that requires surgery
- You need surgery to repair a problem you were born with in your heart
- You have been diagnosed with a blocked artery that needs a surgical procedure
- You need surgery to treat a disease of the large blood vessel connected to your heart
- You are having a pacemaker or heart device fitted through a surgical procedure
- Your doctor has referred you for any planned or emergency heart operation
Types of Heart Surgery Anaesthetist Specialists
Adult Cardiac Anaesthesia
Provides anaesthesia care for adult patients undergoing open-heart procedures such as bypass surgery and valve repair, which are among the most common heart operations performed in Ghana and West Africa.
Paediatric Cardiac Anaesthesia
Specialises in keeping infants and children safe during heart surgery, including procedures to correct congenital (birth) heart defects that are increasingly being treated at specialist centres in the region.
Thoracic Anaesthesia
Focuses on anaesthesia for lung and chest surgeries — such as removal of lung tumours or treatment of empyema — requiring special techniques to manage breathing when one lung must be temporarily deflated.
Transplant Anaesthesia
Manages anaesthesia during heart or lung transplant operations, coordinating closely with surgical and intensive care teams to support patients through these complex, life-saving procedures.
Cardiac Intensive Care Anaesthesia
Oversees the immediate post-operative care of patients in the cardiac ICU after heart surgery, managing pain, breathing support, and haemodynamic stability during the critical recovery period.
What to Expect at Your Appointment
When you first meet your Heart Surgery Anaesthetist, they will sit with you, go through your medical history, and ask about any allergies or past reactions to medicines used for sleep. They will also check your heart and lung health to make sure they have a clear picture of your condition. Before your operation day, they will take time to explain exactly what will happen and answer any questions you have, so you can feel calm and confident going into surgery.
Training & Education Credentials
A Heart Surgery Anaesthetist first completes a full medical degree, then undergoes several years of specialist training in anaesthesia, followed by advanced training specifically focused on cardiac (heart) anaesthesia. They are required to meet strict professional standards and obtain board certification before they are qualified to care for patients during heart surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I feel any pain during heart surgery?
No, you will not feel any pain during heart surgery. The heart surgery anaesthetist will give you general anaesthesia, which puts you into a deep sleep so you are completely unconscious throughout the operation. You will not be aware of anything happening and will only wake up after the surgery is finished.
What should I bring or tell the anaesthetist before my operation?
Tell your anaesthetist about all medicines, herbs, or supplements you are currently taking, including any traditional remedies. Also inform them of any allergies, past reactions to anaesthesia, and any health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or sickle cell disease. Bring your medical records, test results, and a list of your medications to your pre-operative appointment.
How do I prepare for anaesthesia before heart surgery?
Your anaesthetist will give you specific instructions to follow before surgery, which usually include not eating or drinking anything for at least 6–8 hours beforehand. You may be asked to stop certain medications a few days before the operation. Follow all instructions carefully, as proper preparation helps reduce the risk of complications during anaesthesia.
What are the risks of anaesthesia during heart surgery?
Anaesthesia for heart surgery is generally safe, but like all medical procedures it carries some risks, including allergic reactions, breathing difficulties, or changes in blood pressure. Serious complications are rare and your anaesthetist is specially trained to monitor and manage them throughout the operation. Your medical team will discuss your individual risks with you before the surgery.
When should I urgently contact my doctor after heart surgery?
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience severe chest pain, difficulty breathing, high fever, unusual swelling, or redness and discharge around your wound after heart surgery. You should also seek urgent help if you feel confused, faint, or notice your heart beating very fast or irregularly. Do not wait — these signs may indicate a serious complication that needs prompt attention.
Book a Heart Surgery Anaesthetist
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