General Principles

Surgical Access to the Heart

• The most common approach is Sternotomy
• Minimally invasive options include:
  • Right or left thoracic approaches
  • Partial sternotomy (hemisternotomy)
  • Small incisions with specialized instruments
• Modern techniques include robotic systems where surgeons control robotic hands from a console for greater precision

2 Key Innovations of Cardiac Surgery

Allow for a bloodless, motionless heart during surgery

• Cardiopulmonary bypass (ECMO)
• KCl - potassium chloride

Common Procedures

CABG → Common, 60%

Aortic Valve Surgery

Mitral Valve Surgery

Open AD Repair

RFA - Radiofrequency Ablation or Cryoablation

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