advent of heart surgery

The advent of heart surgery marked a significant breakthrough in medicine, enabling doctors to repair damaged heart tissues and vessels directly. Historically, heart disease was often fatal because the heart is a vital, complex organ difficult to operate on. Advances in anesthesia, sterilization, and surgical techniques in the 20th century made it possible to perform procedures like bypass surgeries and valve repairs safely. These developments drastically improved survival rates and quality of life for patients with heart conditions, transforming once-lethal illnesses into manageable health issues.