Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery

The Benefits of Minimally Invasive Surgery
	Smaller incision, less scarring
	Significantly less pain
	Lower risk of bleeding and infection
	Shorter hospital stay
	Fewer complications
	Quicker recovery time
	Faster return to normal activities

At ARMC, every patient needing heart surgery is evaluated to determine if a minimally invasive technique will result in the best outcome for that particular patient.

Minimally Invasive Techniques Are Often Used For:

• Repair or Replacement of Heart Valves
• Certain Bypass Surgeries

The smaller incision required for minimally invasive surgery typically results in less pain, a shorter hospital stay, and a faster return to normal activities.

What is minimally invasive heart surgery?

Minimally invasive coronary artery surgery is an alternative to coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). Like CABG, the surgery is done to "bypass" blood around coronary arteries that are clogged by plaque to improve the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart.

There are two approaches to minimially invasive heart surgery:

• Port-access coronary artery bypass (also referred to as PACAB or PortCAB)
• Minimally invasive coronary artery bypass (also called MIDCAB)

Port-access coronary artery bypass (PACAB or PortCAB)?
In PACAB, your heart is stopped and your blood is pumped through a "heart-lung" machine to receive oxygen during the surgery. The surgeon then creates small incisions or "ports" in your chest. Next, arteries or veins from your leg are attached to the heart, bypassing the clogged coronary artery or arteries.

Minimally invasive coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB)
MIDCAB is done while your heart is still beating and is used when only one or two arteries will be bypassed. Small holes or "ports" are made in your chest. A small incision made directly over the blocked coronary artery. The heart surgeon usually detaches an artery from inside the chest wall and re-attaches it to the clogged coronary artery farthest from the blockage.

source: American Heart Association

Frequently Asked Questions About Mimimally Invasive Heart Surgery

Today at The Heart Institute, skilled cardiothoracic surgeons are performing minimally invasive surgery that would have seemed impossible just a few short years ago.

AtlantiCare heart surgeons Howard Axelrod, MD, and James Dralle, MD, answer some common questions about this remarkable surgical technique.

Q: What heart problems are being treated at AtlantiCare with minimally invasive surgery?

A: We’re repairing and replacing heart valves, which act as gatekeepers that allow blood to flow freely from one heart chamber to the next. We’re also using it in certain bypass surgeries.

Q: Who is a good candidate forminimally invasive surgery?

A: All patients are evaluated as potential candidates for minimally invasive procedures. We consider all aspects of the patient’s condition, then make a recommendation based on what will give that particular patient the best outcome.

Q: What makes The Heart Institute at ARMC a good choice for heart surgery?

A: We have a highly trained, dedicated surgical team experienced in all aspects of heart care. Our patients enjoy outcomes equal to or better than big-name, big-city heart programs. And we provide truly personalized care, with the entire care team treating each patient like one of our own family.

For more information about minimally invasive surgical options, please call the AtlantiCare Access Center at 1-888-569-1000.

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