Aortic valve replacement through a minimally invasive approach

Minimally invasive cardiac surgery is rapidly gaining interest because of fast recovery, reduced morbidity, shorter hospital stay, lower costs, and better cosmetic results. Aortic valve surgery can be performed through a small (10- to 12-cm) transverse sternal incision, and femoro-femoral cannulation is used for cardiopulmonary bypass. Exposure of the ascending aorta is satisfactory. From 1 March through 30 September 1996, 7 patients underwent aortic valve replacement through this approach. The mean age of the 5 women and 2 men was 58.8 years. We used this technique mainly in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, or obesity, in the absence of coronary artery disease. There was no mortality, nor was there reoperation for bleeding, stroke, or wound infection. All patients were extubated after 2 hours in intensive care and were discharged on the 4th postoperative day. Additional cases are needed to properly assess the correct indication and surgical technique.