Heart Valve Surgery

Minimally Invasive Heart Valve Surgery

Minimally invasive heart valve surgery involves relatively new techniques with smaller incisions and specially designed surgical instruments to repair or replace valves. These procedures may offer better cosmetic results.

Not everyone is a candidate for minimally invasive surgery. The following factors exclude a patient from consideration:

• severe valve damage
• more than one valve requiring repair or replacement
• clogged arteries (atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries)
• obesity