Reasons for Conversion and Adverse Intraoperative Events in Robotically Enhanced Minimally Invasive Coronary Artery Revascularization.

Objective: The transition from sternotomy access to minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting is associated with steep learning curves. This study reports the reasons for sternotomy conversions from robotically enhanced minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting (RE-MIDCAB) and describes potential risk reduction strategies.

Methods: The perioperative data of 759 RE-MIDCAB patients (mean age 65.

Endoscopic port access surgery for isolated atrioventricular valve endocarditis.

Objectives: Our goal was to report the clinical and echocardiographic outcomes of endoscopic port access surgery for isolated active and convalescent atrioventricular valve endocarditis (AVVE).

Methods: Our current surgical team performed endoscopic port access surgery in 66 consecutive patients with isolated AVVE (mean age, 65.5 ± 12.

Reasons for conversion and adverse intraoperative events in Endoscopic Port Access™ atrioventricular valve surgery and minimally invasive aortic valve surgery.

Objectives: This study reports the factors that contribute to sternotomy conversions (SCs) and adverse intraoperative events in minimally invasive aortic valve surgery (MI-AVS) and minimally invasive Endoscopic Port Access™ atrioventricular valve surgery (MI-PAS).

Methods: In total, 3780 consecutive patients with either aortic valve disease or atrioventricular valve disease underwent minimally invasive valve surgery (MIVS) at our institution between 1 February 1997 and 31 March 2016. MI-AVS was performed in 908 patients (mean age 69.

Endoscopic Port Access Surgery for Late Orthotopic Cardiac Transplantation Atrioventricular Valve Disease.

Background: The study aim was to present details of the perioperative and long-term outcomes of redo-endoscopic port access surgery (REPAS) for late atrioventricular valve disease (AVVD) in orthotopic cardiac transplant (OCT) patients.

Methods: Between February 2004 and October 2015, REPAS was performed for late AVVD in seven consecutive OCT patients (mean age 57.9 ± 17.

Endoscopic atrioventricular valve surgery in adults with difficult-to-access uncorrected congenital chest wall deformities.

Objectives: This study presents the first report on in-hospital and long-term outcomes of endoscopic port access atrioventricular valve surgery (EPAAVVS) in adult patients with uncorrected congenital chest wall deformities (CCWDs).

Methods: Our current surgical team performed EPAAVVS in 7 consecutive adult patients (mean age 51.3 ± 16.

Late redo-port access surgery after port access surgery.

Objectives: This study presents the first report on short- and long-term outcomes in redo-port access surgery after previous port access surgery (redo-PAS-PAS) for new or recurrent mitral valve (MV) and tricuspid valve (TV) disease.

Methods: Our current surgical team performed redo-PAS-PAS in 26 consecutive patients who had previous port access surgery (mean age 65.8 ± 13.

Minimally invasive primary aortic valve surgery: the OLV Aalst experience.

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate our in-hospital outcomes with primary J-sternotomy aortic valve surgery since the initiation of our program in 1997.

Methods: Between October 1(st) 1997 and August 31(st) 2014, 768 patients (mean age: 69.1±11.

Does a minimally invasive approach increase the incidence of patient-prosthesis mismatch in aortic valve replacement?

Background And Aim Of The Study: The impact of a minimally invasive approach on patient-prosthesis mismatch (PPM) in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR) remains unknown. The study aim was to identify the impact of a minimally invasive approach for AVR on the incidence of PPM.

Methods: The results of a single-center experience in 506 patients who underwent isolated AVR through a minimally invasive or conventional sternotomy were analyzed.

Endoscopic mitral and tricuspid valve surgery after previous cardiac surgery.

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a right video-assisted approach for atrioventricular valve disease after previous cardiac surgery.

Methods And Results: Between December 1st 1997 and May 1st 2006, 80 adults (mean age 65+/-12 years; 56% female) underwent reoperative surgery using a video-assisted approach without rib spreading. Previous cardiac operations included mitral valve (39%), CABG (29%), congenital (10%), and other (23%).

Endoscopic cardiac tumor resection.

Background: The purpose of this study is to report our 9 years' experience with endoscopic cardiac tumor resection using the port access approach.

Methods: From March 1997 to December 2005, 27 patients (mean age, 56.2 +/- 16.

Avoiding vascular complications during minimally invasive, totally endoscopic intracardiac surgery.

Objective: The introduction of minimally invasive valve surgery has been associated with an increased use of peripheral vessel cannulation in cardiopulmonary bypass. These techniques are associated with potential problems at the aorta or cannulation sites. The goal of this study was to review and describe our current practice to avoid vascular problems during cannulation of peripheral vessels.

Current strategies in the surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation: review of the literature and Onze Lieve Vrouw Clinic's strategy.

Atrial fibrillation is the most common rhythm disturbance in clinical practice. It is a major source of stroke and morbidity. Although the Cox maze procedure effectively eliminates atrial fibrillation in most patients, the procedure has not found widespread application.

Modified maze during endoscopic mitral valve surgery: the OLV Clinic experience.

Background: The use of radiofrequency ablation to perform the mini-maze procedure (pulmonary veins isolation) has been reported with good results. The aim of this study was to evaluate our practice with the association of the mini-maze procedure, done with the use of the Cardioblade pen, and minimally invasive mitral valve surgery.

Methods: From January 1999 to November 2004, 103 patients underwent a minimally invasive mitral valve surgery with a concomitant pulmonary veins isolation (modified maze procedure) done with unipolar radiofrequency.

Initial experience with robotic epicardial off-pump pulmonary vein isolation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Objective: : To evaluate the feasibility and results of isolated endoscopic pulmonary vein isolation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation using robotics.

Methods: : Between November 2004 and December 2005, 13 patients (38.5% female) underwent robotic pulmonary vein isolation at our institution.

Minimally invasive versus standard approach aortic valve replacement: a study in 506 patients.

Background: Minimally invasive aortic valve replacement through partial upper sternotomy has been shown to reduce surgical trauma, and, supposedly, decrease postoperative pain, blood loss, and hospital stay.

Methods: From October 1997 until November 2004, 506 patients received isolated aortic valve replacement, of which 232 underwent the minimal access J-sternotomy approach (group 1). The control group (group 2) consisted of 274 patients who underwent aortic valve replacements by median sternotomy.

From classical sternotomy to truly endoscopic mitral valve surgery: a step by step procedure.

Background: There is an increasing tendency towards minimally invasive valve surgery and various surgical techniques have been proposed to realise this goal. The aim of the present study was to describe our current surgical technique and clinical experience with respect to an endoscopic technique that allows the surgeon to perform an operation through a series of small intercostal ports.

Methods: After a learning experience with thoracoscopic left internal mammary to left anterior descending coronary artery bypass surgery, we adopted the endocardiopulmonary bypass technique to perform mitral valve surgery.

Initial experience with an endoscopic radial artery harvesting technique.

Objective: The purpose of the study was to investigate the feasibility of an endoscopic radial artery harvesting technique to improve esthetic results and possibly reduce the incidence of neurologic complications observed with the open method.

Methods: Between July 1, 2002, and October 1, 2003, a total of 54 patients underwent endoscopic radial artery harvesting at our institution. Standard endoscopic equipment and a Harmonic Scalpel (Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc, Cincinnati, Ohio) were used.

Mitral valve surgery can now routinely be performed endoscopically.

Background: There is an increasing interest in minimally invasive cardiac surgery.

Methods And Results: Since February 1, 1997 till April 1, 2002, 306 patients underwent endoscopic mitral valve surgery (226 repair, MVP; 80 replacement, MVR). Predominant valve pathology was degenerative in MVP (83.

Endoscopic mitral valve repair: feasible, reproducible, and durable.

Objective: We sought to document the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of performing mitral valve repair using a totally endoscopic approach.

Methods: Between February 1997 and October 1, 2001, 187 patients underwent totally endoscopic mitral valve repair at our institution. The mean age was 60.