Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery
Alternate Names : Beating Heart Surgery, Keyhole Heart Surgery, Minimally Invasive Direct Coronary Artery Bypass (MIDCAB), Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass (OPCAB), RACAB (Robot Assisted Coronary Artery Bypass)
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Indications
MIDCAB: Due to the limited size of the MIDCAB incision, only certain patients are eligible candidates for the procedure:
1. Patients who have a blockage in one or two coronary arteries located on the front side of the heart, but are considered too high-risk for conventional bypass surgery or balloon angioplasty.
2. Patients who are otherwise healthy but have a blockage in one or two coronary arteries located on the front side of the heart.
In general, every patient with coronary artery disease is a candidate for OPCAB. However, for younger patients, for those who have small coronary arteries and need several bypasses, or when a patient's heart will not tolerate being manipulated during the procedure, it may be preferable to use the traditional CABG technique. Currently, the following patients with coronary artery disease are potential candidates for OPCAB:
1. Patients with poor heart function (very low ejection fraction).
2. Patients with severe lung disease (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD, and emphysema).
3. Patients with acute or chronic kidney disease.
4. Patients at a high risk for stroke.
5. Patients with a calcified aorta.
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