Minimally Invasive Aortic Valve Surgery

Abstract

Minimally invasive aortic valve surgery by definition means performing procedures through alternative approaches without the need to divide the sternum completely. Even though this contributes towards lowering the mortality and morbidity of patients, minimally invasive techniques have to be tailored to the unique patient as well as surgeon characteristics. With the advancements made in invasive cardiology techniques, the line between invasive cardiology and minimally invasive cardiac surgery is becoming thinner and thinner. We are presenting state-of-the-art techniques and outcomes for surgical aortic valve replacement via upper mini-sternotomy or anterior right mini-thoracotomy. In addition, aortic valve repair and valve-sparing procedures through a minimally invasive approach are discussed.

25th anniversary of the Department of Cardiac Surgery at the University Medical Center Maribor: advancing hearts, changing lives

“…We address all adult cardiac and major vascular pathologies (with exceptions such as long-term mechanical support for heart failure and transplantation activities). Our current surgical portfolio includes surgery for ischemic heart diseases (with or without cardiopulmonary bypass, multiarterial grafting, minimally invasive myocardial revascularization [ 3 , 4 ] and surgical treatment of complications, such as ventricular septal defects, myocardial ruptures and left ventricular aneurysms), aortic valve replacement with mechanical or stented bioprostheses, aortic valve repair and valve-sparing aortic root replacement (both reimplantation and remodelling with external annuloplasty) [ 5 ], minimally invasive aortic [ 6 ] and mitral valve surgery [ 7 , 8 ], mitral valve repair and replacement [ 9 ], surgical treatment of any heart valve endocarditis, surgery for tricuspid or pulmonary valve disease, aortic surgery (aortic dissection, ascending and arch aneurysms including the frozen elephant trunk procedure [ 10 ], trauma to the great vessels), surgery for atrial fibrillation [ 11 ], pericardiectomy, surgery for cardiac neoplasms, temporary mechanical circulatory support (intra-aortic balloon pump, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) [ 12 , 13 ] and carotid endarterectomy. In addition, we provide surgical assistance and standby for various interventional cardiological (percutaneous coronary interventions, transcatheter aortic valve implantations [ 14 , 15 ], interventional treatment for atrial and ventricular arrhythmias) or radiological (thoracic endovascular aortic repair) procedures.…”