Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery

"Beating Heart" Surgery

Cardiothoracic surgeon Charles Lutz, MD performs single coronary artery bypass surgery without stopping the patient's heart. Instead, a new device known as the Medtronic Octopus^® Stabilizer stabilizes the beating heart while Dr. Lutz performs the bypass.

Dr. Lutz estimates that about 20 percent of U.S. cardiac surgeons are using this approach. "More and more data show it"s better. Patients go home sooner—in three to four days, as opposed to six or seven days. They lose less blood, and have a lower risk of stroke and renal failure."

"It's known as 'beating heart' or "off-pump" bypass, and it's much less traumatic to the patient." — Dr. Lutz.

The MIS Difference
MIS: For minimally invasive valve repair, the surgeon enters with a thoroscope.	OPEN CHEST: Full sternal split approach.