Open Heart Surgery

Today I had the chance to photograph an open heart surgery for work. The surgery was to replace two valves, the mitral and the aortic. It was one of the most amazing photo experiences I have had. The doctors stopped the heart and ran the heart and lungs off a machine for over an hour. I don't know any medical terms, but the idea of a stopped heart and to see it start again after surgery.... wow. The machine was huge, which in itself is impressive, considering the size of a heart. All that machinery to do something that we often never think about. It is also amazing to think of what the trauma that the human body can go through and the ability to heal itself.

This is the mitral valve before they suture it into the heart.

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