Candidates for Minimally Invasive Surgery

Robotic-assisted minimally invasive cardiac and thoracic procedures avoid the drawbacks of traditional heart surgery, including blood loss, pain and scarring associated with sternotomy. The da Vinci® System offers breakthrough capabilities that enable surgeons to operate through smaller incisions made between the ribs. As a result, the da Vinci Surgical System is changing the practice of cardiac surgery as it's known today. Data suggests that recovery time, pain and trauma are reduced significantly through this less invasive approach.

For most patients, minimally invasive cardiac procedures performed with the da Vinci Surgical System can offer numerous potential benefits over open-chest surgery, including:

• Shorter hospital stay
• Less pain and scarring
• Less risk of infection
• Less blood loss and fewer transfusions
• Faster recovery
• Quicker return to normal activities
• Superior cosmesis

Four cardiology evaluations to consider before referring patients:

• Cath left Groin
• CTA Chest/Abdomen/Pelvis
• Transthoracic Echocordiogram (TTE), Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE)
• Early Referral

Potential candidates for robotic or minimally invasive procedures include patients with one or more of the following conditions.

1. Valvular Heart Disease
2. Aortic valve stenosis or blockage
3. Aortic valve insufficiency or leakage
4. Aoric valve endocarditis or infection
5. Mitral valve insufficiency or leakage
6. Mitral valve prolapse
7. Mitral valve stenosis or blockage
8. Mitral valve endocarditis infection
9. Tricuspid valve insufficiency or leakage
10. Tricuspid valve stenosis or blockage
11. Tricuspid valve endocarditis or infection
12. Coronary artery occlusion disease or hardening of the arteries, people needing bypass surgery
13. Tumors of the heart including myxoma's and fibroelastoma
14. Holes in the heart or atrial septal defects
15. Atrial fibrillation or irregular heart beat which requires surgical ablation
16. Lung tumors and cancers
17. Lung mass
18. Pleural effusions or fluid around the lung
19. Recurrent pneumothorax or collapsed lung
20. Peripheral vascular disease or blockages in the leg
21. Aneurysms of the aorta
22. Esophageal Tumors
23. Hiatal Hernias

Minimally Invasive Procedures:

• Minimally Invasive Aortic Valve Replacement
• Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Replacement
• Minimally Invasive Robotic Assisted Mitral Valve Repair
• Minimally Invasive Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
• Minimally Invasive Tricuspid Valve Repair
• Minimally Invasive Tumor Excision
• Minimally Invasive Atrial Septal Defect Repair
• Robot Assisted Thoracotomy Surgery

Many patients are candidates for a minimally invasive non sternotomy approach. To learn if you are a candidate or not, it is best to receive an opinion from a cardiovascular surgeon who is experienced in these techniques. Frequently we can asses your situation by email or phone.