Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery, Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery as in Aortic and Mitral Valve Surgery techniques constitutes one of the most challenging and revolutionary chapters in the history of Dr. Giovanni Ciuffo’s specialty and in his professional career.

1. Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery
Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery, Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery as in Aortic and Mitral Valve
Surgery techniques constitutes one of the most challenging and revolutionary chapters in the history of
Dr. Giovanni Ciuffo’s specialty and in his professional career.
Traditional heart surgery which is often called open-heart surgery is done by opening the chest wall to
operate on the heart. The surgeon cuts through the patient's breastbone to open the chest. This median
sternotomy approach requires a 10-12 inch incision through the sternal bone. In Minimally Invasive
Heart Surgery, major incisions are no longer needed and the breastbone does not need to be divided,
dramatically reducing the traumatic impact of the operation.
What is Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery
Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery, also known as MICS CABG, Minimally Invasive Cardiac
Surgery/Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting is heart surgery performed through several small incisions
instead of the traditional open-heart surgery that requires a median sternotomy approach. MICS CABG
is a beating-heart multi-vessel procedure performed under direct vision through an aterolateral mini-
thoracotomy.
Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery is favored by surgeons and patients because of reduced post-operative
discomfort, faster healing times and lowered risk of infections or complications. This procedure makes
heart surgery possible for patients who were previously considered to be too at risk for traditional
surgery due to age or medical history.
These state-of the-art surgical procedures are carried out through a small incision on the chest wall,
right over the valve to be repaired or replaced. The end result is a procedure performed with a great
level of accuracy, no cutting of any chest bone, less postoperative pain, greatly diminished transfusion
requirements and wound problems, a quicker recovery and excellent cosmetic results.
About Dr. Ciuffo
Giovanni B. Ciuffo, MD is board certified by the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of
Thoracic Surgery. He is a member of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons. His current academic and clinical
activity is entirely devoted to the surgical therapy of coronary, valvular and thoracic aortic disease with
the most advanced blood sparing, minimally invasive and beating heart surgery techniques.
If you would like to find out if you are a candidate for Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery or if you would
like more information regarding this approach, please contact our Minimally Invasive and Bloodless
Heart Surgery Center at 330-363-1341.