Minimal Invasive Heart Surgery: Frequently Asked Questions

The increasing rate of cardiovascular diseases is a threat to the health of society. Considering the detrimental impact it can have on the individuals, sometimes it could be life-threatening as well. The doctors have been working on new scientifically advanced technologies for enhancing the efficiency of the procedure, it also adds to the success rate of these operations. The performance of minimal invasive heart surgery in this regard has been quite in the news. We had a discussion with the expert of heart disease treatment in Jaipur to know more about this type of surgical intervention.

Why is the minimal invasive heart surgery known to be a scientifically advanced process?

The entire process of minimal invasive heart surgery is carried out through a small incision which offers less scarring. Secondly, medically precise surgical instruments and a special camera is used. The quicker hospital discharge from the hospital and quick recovery  it a scientifically advanced surgical procedure.

Minimally invasive treatment in India is available for which type of cardiovascular diseases?

In most of the cases, minimal invasive heart surgery is possible when the heart valves, namely, aortic valve, mitral valve, and tricuspid valve are blocked or are affected by the problem of regurgitation. There can be different underlying causes such as accumulation of cholesterol or calcium.

What diagnostic assessments precede minimal invasive heart surgery?

A detailed diagnostic assessment is a necessary procedure to be undertaken before the minimal invasive heart surgery, it evaluates if the patient is eligible for this operation. A physical examination and evaluation of the patient's medical history are carried out along with blood tests. Cardiac tests such as electrocardiogram and cardiac catheterization are important. In addition to these tests, computed tomography (CT) scans are also carried out. Basically, diagnostic tests performed for any type of cardiovascular problem is carried out for minimal invasive heart surgery.

What is the size of the incision made for performing minimal invasive heart surgery?

Comparatively to the traditional open-heart surgery, small incision ranging from two to four inches are made for the minimal invasive heart surgery.

How is the heart kept on beating during the minimal invasive heart surgery?

To ensure that the heart keeps working properly while it is being operated upon, surgeons use a heart-lung machine through a lateral approach.

Is minimal invasive heart surgery suitable for all patients?

Even though minimal invasive heart surgery is a scientifically advanced surgical intervention which has certain commendable advantages to offer, it is certainly not eligible for all candidates. Doctors evaluate the results of diagnostic assessments such as electrocardiogram to reach on the conclusion. If it is observed that the aorta accumulated with calcium may not be suitable to undergo such minimally invasive heart surgeries.  one may think that development of age would act as a barrier for undergoing minimal invasive heart surgery unlike this popular opinion, it is not the case.

How is minimal invasive heart surgery beneficial over the traditional open heart surgery?

Unlike the traditional open-heart surgery, minimal invasive heart surgery is recommended for its advantages namely, quick recovery, less scarring, less damage to the blood vessels and organs, shorter discharge from the heart hospital in Jaipur (for three to five days), less risk of infection and bleeding, and not splitting of the breastbone.