CorVasc surgeons perform more cardiac procedures than
any other group of surgeons in Indiana. The CorVasc team of
surgeons has had many firsts for the state, beginning with the
first coronary artery bypass graft in 1967 and, most recently,
the first VentrAssist ventricular assist device in 2007.
These skilled surgeons provide surgical services to treat these conditions:
- Atrial fibrillation
- Cardiac trauma
- Congenital disease
- Heart failure
- Irregular heart rhythms
- Ischemic heart disease
- Thoracic aortic disease
- Valvular heart disease
CorVasc offers the latest advances in open heart surgery including,
coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG),
minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass surgery (MIDCAB),
beating heart surgery off pump
coronary bypass (OPCAB),
minimally invasive endoscopic vein harvesting, transmyocardial
revascularization (TMR), heart valve
replacement and repair. We understand the prospect of open heart
surgery can be intimidating, however, we are indeed fortunate to
live in an era when very effective procedures are available to treat
most heart aliments.
We encourage open dialogue between you and your primary care
physician. Hopefully, the information found at our site will help
form a more knowledgeable exchange. Feel free to print any
information found within our site and share the details with your
family and primary health care professionals. No one should undergo
surgery without all their questions answered.
Surgical
Expertise and Advances
Coronary Disease Minimally Invasive Techniques and Off-pump CABG
 |
 |
| |
Dr. David Heimansohn discussing patient's treatment plan with
family members at Indiana Heart Institute |
Corvasc
physicians are leaders in minimally invasive, off-pump bypass surgery, one
of the most recent advances during which surgeons perform CABG procedures
without the use of the traditional heart-lung machine. One of the first in
the state to perform "beating-heart surgery," or off-pump bypass, the
Corvasc group now performs >60% of its CABG surgery "off-pump," ranking
among the highest rates nationally.
Using the MIDCAB
technique, off-pump surgery was combined with minimally invasive incisions
in 1996 for patients with one blocked vessel. Today, with the use of
advanced technology and surgical approach, Corvasc physicians are performing
beating-heart, multivessel bypass procedures for complete revascularization
with significant success. Patients avoid the side effects and risks
associated with the heart-lung machine, and they generally experience a
faster, smoother recovery period. This approach has been found to especially
benefit high-risk patients.
Bypass Conduits
The internal
mammary artery (IMA) remains the conduit(s) of choice, but in addition
Corvasc surgeons use a new approach to bypass conduits on each and every
case. When leg grafts are used, endoscopic vein harvesting is used almost
exclusively. This less traumatic approach for the patient results in a
faster, more comfortable recovery. The cosmetic results are superb.
Transmyocardial Revascularization
Corvasc surgeons
are very experienced in the use of
transmyocardial revascularization (TMR).
With lasers, surgeons create channels through the myocardium to enhance
blood flow to viable heart muscle in patients suffering from medically
refractory angina and nonreconstructable coronary artery disease. This
procedure is often used in combination with a CABG or angioplasty to treat
an area of the heart muscle that cannot be reached using the traditional
bypass or catheter procedures.
Valve
Repair and Replacement
Corvasc surgeons
offer extensive expertise in both mitral and tricuspid valve repair.
Whenever feasible, valve repair is the approach of choice for disorders that
require surgery. In patients with mitral valve regurgitation, the Corvasc
success rate for valve repair procedures exceeds 90%. Intraoperative
trans-esophageal echocardiography is used extensively to assess the success
of repair procedures and for direct evaluation of cardiac function before
and after the repair.
|
