Minimally Invasive Valve Surgery: When Less Is More

Abstract

Sternotomy has been the gold standard in cardiac surgery and generally provides and unobstructed view of the heart. However, expertise in this traditional method may no longer suffice for the professional survival of cardiac surgeons, We must consider minimally invasive approaches to treating diseases of the heart. As such, the focus of this article will be on the past, present, and future of mini-valve surgery.

Keywords: aortic surgery; minimally invasive surgery; mitral surgery; robotic surgery; transcatheter aortic valve replacement; valve surgery.