Traditionally, cardiac procedures were performed using open-heart surgery, in which the surgeon makes a large incision in the chest. But over the years, surgeons have developed a technique called minimally invasive cardiac surgery.

In minimally invasive cardiac surgery, the surgeon makes one or more small incisions between the patient’s ribs. This allows the surgeon to clearly see and access the internal areas.

At UR Medicine, our surgeons are experienced in this advanced technique. While open-heart surgery is still necessary for certain procedures, we can perform many cardiac surgeries using a minimally invasive approach.

The benefits of minimally invasive surgery include:

• Smaller scars
• Quicker recovery
• Less pain
• Lower risk of complications

Minimally invasive techniques are available for selected patients with the following conditions:

• Mitral Valve Repair or Replacement (MVR)
• MVR/Tricuspid Repair
• Aortic Valve Replacement (AVR)
• Ventricular Assist Device (VAD)

A seasoned team of experts who’ve led their field

UR Medicine cardiac surgeons have developed extensive skill with minimally invasive cardiac surgery. We were the one of the first centers in the country to implant the HeartMate 3, a type of ventricular assist device, using a minimally invasive technique.

We were also the first in the region to perform transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), a minimally invasive treatment for severely ill patients. Our cardiac surgeons continually work to integrate minimally invasive techniques into all types of heart surgery.

To find out if you are a candidate for minimally invasive cardiac surgery, speak with your doctor.

Find out more

For more information, or to schedule a consultation, please contact us at (585) 275-5384.