Anaesthetic management of port-access minimally invasive cardiac surgery

Minimally invasive cardiac surgery is the talk of the day among anaesthetists and cardiothoracic surgeons. Port-access minimally invasive cardiac surgery was performed among 116 patients at Loyola University Medical Center since July, 1997. This technology uses a system of 5-channel internal jugular vein and femoral artery/vein catheters and cannulae to provide a closed chest cardiopulmonary by-pass permitting the heart to be arrested and protected with cardioplegic solution in a manner equivalent to used that in open cardiac surgery. Out of 116 patients, 2 experienced coronary sinus rupture for which they were converted to standard conventional approach. All patients had done well postoperatively. The advantages of this method include less postoperative discomfort, decreased hospitalisation and reduced health care costs. Concern exists regarding technical results which according to some are not equivalent to conventional method.