NYU Study First To Show Benefits Of Minimally Invasive Heart Valve Surgery In Large Patient Group
Port-Access Technology Offers Same Results, Less Trauma Than Standard Techniques
ORLANDO, Fla., November 11, 1997 -- Patients undergoing a minimally invasive heart valve procedure experience success rates comparable to standard techniques without the physical trauma and extensive recovery periods of conventional open-chest surgery, according to a study conducted by surgeons from NYU Medical Center, pioneers of Port-Access minimally invasive valvular surgery. More than 98% of dysfunctional heart valves repaired or replaced were successfully restored to normal function, according to the experts presenting new data at the American Heart Association scientific sessions today. These data were from the largest study to date of minimally invasive valvular heart surgery.
"The results we got from the effective application of Port-Access techniques to valve repair and replacement are consistent with the positive results we have achieved with this approach to bypass surgery," said Aubrey Galloway, M.D., director of surgical research at NYU Medical Center. "We believe our data support use of this minimally invasive procedure in the vast majority, possibly 90%, of patients requiring valvular heart surgery."
In the NYU study, 151 patients underwent Port-Access valvular surgery from October 1995 to September 1997. Echocardiograms administered post-operatively demonstrated proper valve function in 98.5% of affected valves. Rates of complications were similar to those found in patients who underwent open-chest surgery at the hospital for the same conditions. Hospital mortality was 4% overall and 1.1% for isolated mitral valve surgery, also comparable to open-chest procedures. The results are particularly noteworthy considering that 24 patients in this group underwent corrective procedures for complex conditions such as multiple valve disease, or valve dysfunction complicated by coronary artery blockage.
"Although the best results were found in patients undergoing isolated mitral or aortic valve surgery, many patients with more complicated conditions can also benefit from these newer minimally invasive techniques," said Stephen Colvin, M.D., NYU's chief of cardiothoracic surgery.
Unlike conventional open-chest surgery which involves cutting through the breastbone, the minimally invasive Port-Access procedure requires a 2- to 3-inch incision in the chest wall, to access the heart. Surgeons then make incisions in the heart to reach the diseased valve.
"With minimally invasive surgery, we can dramatically reduce the trauma without compromising results," said Dr. Colvin. "Patients get a high quality, durable repair with less pain and a faster recovery, that is, weeks -- sometimes months -- shorter than the open-chest alternative."
Surgery is the most common treatment for correcting abnormal blood flow through heart valves. The mitral valve -- located in the left ventricle, the heart's main pumping chamber -- is most commonly affected. The main causes of valvular heart disease are degenerative rheumatic fever, infections, congenital defects and side effects of medications.
NYU's Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery is internationally known for mitral valve reconstructive surgery and more recently, for developing minimally invasive cardiac surgical techniques. NYU surgeons were instrumental in the development of Port-Access technology.
Port-Access Technology Offers Same Results, Less Trauma Than Standard Techniques
ORLANDO, Fla., November 11, 1997 -- Patients undergoing a minimally invasive heart valve procedure experience success rates comparable to standard techniques without the physical trauma and extensive recovery periods of conventional open-chest surgery, according to a study conducted by surgeons from NYU Medical Center, pioneers of Port-Access minimally invasive valvular surgery. More than 98% of dysfunctional heart valves repaired or replaced were successfully restored to normal function, according to the experts presenting new data at the American Heart Association scientific sessions today. These data were from the largest study to date of minimally invasive valvular heart surgery.
"The results we got from the effective application of Port-Access techniques to valve repair and replacement are consistent with the positive results we have achieved with this approach to bypass surgery," said Aubrey Galloway, M.D., director of surgical research at NYU Medical Center. "We believe our data support use of this minimally invasive procedure in the vast majority, possibly 90%, of patients requiring valvular heart surgery."
In the NYU study, 151 patients underwent Port-Access valvular surgery from October 1995 to September 1997. Echocardiograms administered post-operatively demonstrated proper valve function in 98.5% of affected valves. Rates of complications were similar to those found in patients who underwent open-chest surgery at the hospital for the same conditions. Hospital mortality was 4% overall and 1.1% for isolated mitral valve surgery, also comparable to open-chest procedures. The results are particularly noteworthy considering that 24 patients in this group underwent corrective procedures for complex conditions such as multiple valve disease, or valve dysfunction complicated by coronary artery blockage.
"Although the best results were found in patients undergoing isolated mitral or aortic valve surgery, many patients with more complicated conditions can also benefit from these newer minimally invasive techniques," said Stephen Colvin, M.D., NYU's chief of cardiothoracic surgery.
Unlike conventional open-chest surgery which involves cutting through the breastbone, the minimally invasive Port-Access procedure requires a 2- to 3-inch incision in the chest wall, to access the heart. Surgeons then make incisions in the heart to reach the diseased valve.
"With minimally invasive surgery, we can dramatically reduce the trauma without compromising results," said Dr. Colvin. "Patients get a high quality, durable repair with less pain and a faster recovery, that is, weeks -- sometimes months -- shorter than the open-chest alternative."
Surgery is the most common treatment for correcting abnormal blood flow through heart valves. The mitral valve -- located in the left ventricle, the heart's main pumping chamber -- is most commonly affected. The main causes of valvular heart disease are degenerative rheumatic fever, infections, congenital defects and side effects of medications.
NYU's Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery is internationally known for mitral valve reconstructive surgery and more recently, for developing minimally invasive cardiac surgical techniques. NYU surgeons were instrumental in the development of Port-Access technology.