"Minimally invasive” is a term used to describe surgeries that provide an alternative to traditional surgery. When it comes to heart surgery, this means smaller incisions that avoid more complex operations such as open-heart surgery.

Heart surgeons at CHI St. Vincent Heart Institute perform many minimally invasive procedures, including mitral or aortic valve repair and replacement, coronary artery bypass grafting, and ventricular assist device implantation, among others. Some of these procedures are even performed with robotic surgical instruments.

If you’re wondering what minimally invasive surgery means for patients, here are some of the biggest benefits of these procedures:

• Less pain

• Less scarring

• Shorter hospital stay

• Lower risk of infection

• Lower risk of bleeding

• Shorter recovery time

Learn more:

• CHI St. Vincent Heart Institute - Heart Surgery

• Meet Our Cardiovascular Surgeons