Cardiac Surgery Operating Suite
MICS CABG
Minimally invasive cardiac surgery/coronary artery bypass grafting, or MICS CABG (pronounced mix cabbage), is an “off-pumpOff-pump
Without the use of a heart-lung machine, a machine that takes over the function of the heart and lungs during surgery ,” multi-vessel coronary artery bypass surgery. It is much less invasive than traditional bypass surgery, in that, the surgery is performed through three small incisions rather than the typical sternotomy incision. The first incision, also known as the window incision, is approximately 2" in length. The second and third incisions act as access ports and are approximately 1" in length. The anastomoses Anastomoses
An operative union of two hollow or tubular structures are performed under direct vision through the lateral mini-thoracotomy Thoracotomy
Incision into the chest wall . The internal mammary artery (IMA) takedown can be performed under direct vision, with video assistance, or robotically. Additionally, in order to achieve complete revascularization Revascularization
Surgical procedure for the provision of a new,additional or augmented blood supply to a body part or organ , a pump-assisted, beating-heart approach can be employed. The surgery is performed without breaking ribs or the breastbone.
The Many Benefits of MICS CABG
- Less pain (no broken bones)
- Lower risk of wound infection
- Fewer restrictions, including no driving restrictions
- Faster recovery, many patients discharged from the hospital within two to three days and can return to work within two weeks
- Improved cosmetic outcome
How Does MICS CABG Differ from Traditional Bypass Surgery?
To reach the heart in traditional bypass surgery, a sternotomy incision, approximately 6"–8" in length, is made midline on the chest and through the breastbone. It can be performed “off-pump” or, if necessary, the heart can be stopped and a heart-lung machine is used to help maintain the circulation of blood and oxygen content of the body. Upon completing the surgery, the breastbone is wired together and then the sternotomy incision closed. It is a highly invasive process with a long recovery phase. Postsurgery complications are not uncommon. In comparison to MICS CABG, the traditional method has much greater impact on the body.
Minimally Invasive Heart Valve Surgery
Recent advancements in cardiac surgery have given cardiac surgeons the ability to repair or replace heart valves through small incisions. These pioneering efforts and perfected technology have allowed the surgical team at The Heart Institute to perform aortic valve replacement, mitral valve Mitral Valve
The valve between the left atrium and left ventricle of the heart, consisting of two triangular flaps of tissue, that prevents the blood from flowing back into the atrium repair, mitral valve replacement, repairs of atrial Atrial
Of or pertaining to either of the two upper chambers on each side of the heart that receive blood from the veins and in turn force it into the ventricles and ventricular Ventricular
Of or pertaining to either of the two lower chambers on each side of the heart that receive blood from the atria and in turn force it into the arteries septal Septal
Of or pertaining to a thin partition or membrane that divides two cavities or masses of softer tissue defects, and excision of cardiac tumors via this innovative approach. Mitral valve repair is the primary method of treatment for mitral valve disease at The Heart Institute. Some patients who have undergone this type of surgery have gone home in three days post-procedure, enabling a quick return to an active lifestyle.
Surgical Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation Atrial Fibrillation
Rapid uncoordinated contractions of the atria of the heart resulting in a lack of synchronism between heartbeat and pulse beat is the most common abnormal heart rhythm. It is a very fast, uncontrolled heart rhythm of the upper chambers of the heart called the atria. This abnormal heart rhythm can lead to the formation of blood clots inside the heart, which in turn can cause a stroke to the brain, lower extremities or bowels.
The surgical ablation maze procedure, which was developed from the Cox Maze III Procedure Cox Maze III Procedure
An operative procedure developed by James Cox, MD, and his associates in which incisions are made in a maze-like pattern in the right and left atriums of the heart in order to interrupt the abnormal electrical impulses that cause atrial fibrillation , uses an energy source rather than incisions, to create scar tissue that blocks conduction and stops the errant electrical signals. Energy sources such as high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), radio frequency or cryoenergy Cryoenergy
The use of extremely cold temperatures to freeze cardiac tissue can be used to achieve this result.
Here at the Heart Institute, the surgical ablation procedure is typically done in conjunction with another open heart procedure such as heart valve repair or replacement, coronary artery bypass grafting surgery, or congenital defect repairs.
Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm Repair
The aorta is the largest artery in the body. It is a blood vessel that carries oxygen-rich blood from the heart to all parts of the body. An aneurysm Aneurysm
An abnormal blood-filled dilatation usually caused by weakening of the vessel wall forms when there is weakness in the artery wall. As blood pumps through the weakened artery, the wall abnormally expands or bulges, causing an aneurysm.
Treatment of aneurysms depends on the size, location and overall health of the individual. If the aneurysm is large and causing symptoms, surgery may be indicated in order to prevent rupture of the aneurysm. The weakened section of the vessel is surgically removed and replaced with a graft made of artificial material.
Surgical repair of thoracic aortic aneurysms is a complex, open chest procedure that is performed at The Heart Institute by our highly trained, experienced surgeons.
