Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery

The term "minimally invasive heart surgery" needs to be defined. In valve surgery, it relates to a shortened access to the heart either through a so-called ministernotomy in aortic valve surgery or through lateral opening of the chest (antero-lateral thoracotomy) in mitral valve surgery. Heart valves cannot be operated on without the use of a heart-lung machine.

This is, however, possible in coronary bypass surgery. Using special stabilizers and suction positioners of the heart apex, it is possible to access and stabilize the bypassed coronary artery so that the bypass graft can be safely sutured.

Currently available literature demonstrates the advantages of these procedures, especially in older patients at high risk and with limitations of their organ functions.

During so-called "hybrid procedures", the cardiologist dilates the arteries difficultly accessed by the surgeon without a heart-lung machine, while the latter revascularizes the rest of the heart while the heart is beating.

For further details please see the "Guidebook for Patients"

"Operationen am Herzen - Herzkranzgefäße".

Heart operation - heart valve surgery