Minimally Invasive Direct Coronary Artery Bypass (MIDCAB)
Cause / Condition
This procedure is only applicable for patients requiring a single or
double bypass grafting in specific heart-anatomic locations. Surgical
candidacy is a determination made by the cardiothoracic surgeon.
About the Procedure
A 3-4" incision is placed between the ribs. A blocked artery is
bypassed with a vessel taken from another part of the body, allowing
blood to flow freely to the heart again. The patient's circulation does
not travel through the heart-lung machine (cardiopulmonary bypass).
Recovery
An average hospital stay is 3 days and patients begin to resume normal
activities in 2 weeks.
Expectations / Experience
The advantages of the MIDCAB are a smaller incision (avoiding a
sternotomy incision) and the fact that cardiopulmonary bypass is not
required. There is limited exposure (surgical availability) to the heart
during the MIDCAB procedure and therefore is applicable for only select
patients.
Without needing the heart-lung machine other complications are avoided such as stroke, renal failure and related impairments. Overall the healing process is quicker.
Advancements to refine techniques and further excellent patient results remain part of the progressive approach by the MIMIS cardiothoracic surgeon.
For more information contact:
The Milwaukee Institute of Minimally Invasive Surgery
Ascension Columbia St. Mary's Hospital Milwaukee
2301 N. Lake Dr.
Milwaukee, WI 53211
(800) 377-2673