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If you or your loved one is in need of heart surgery, you might be imagining a complicated procedure that requires a long recovery time. But thanks to medical advancements and innovative treatments, many cardiac surgery patients are experiencing less pain and faster recovery time through minimally invasive heart surgery.
The Cardiovascular Services Department at Broward Health Medical Centeroffers the latest minimally invasive heart procedures and is dedicated to the advancement of emerging technologies. Heart surgeons at Broward Health treat complex cardiac conditions using a variety of techniques – including minimally invasive surgery – with outstanding outcomes. Our experienced specialists are called to care and offer a full range of minimally invasive procedures.
“While traditional “open heart” surgery is performed through a sternotomy (which requires splitting the entire breastbone), minimally invasive cardiac surgery involves small 2” to 3” incisions placed between your ribs that are much smaller and less traumatic than a sternotomy,” said Kenneth Herskowitz, MD, a board certified cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon who has been practicing since 1986.
The minimal incision approach has many applications and can now be applied to most cardiac surgical procedures. These procedures include surgeries on the major valves of the heart (Aortic, Mitral, and Tricuspid), combination procedures for multiple valves at the same time, correction of congenital heart defects, removal of tumors in the heart, combination of surgical and non-surgical atrial fibrillation ablation and multiple bypass grafting of the coronary arteries.
Through the Structural Heart Program, Broward Health Medical Center also provides Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) utilizing small catheters and computer-guided technology to replace the aortic valve without the need for a heart-lung machine. The program offers options for select patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis.
