Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery

Our cardiothoracic surgeons have extensive expertise in minimally invasive cardiac surgery procedures, including heart valve procedures.

Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery

Our cardiothoracic surgeons have extensive expertise in minimally invasive cardiac surgery procedures, including heart valve procedures.

Advancing Heart Care with Minimally Invasive Techniques

Our cardiothoracic surgeons have extensive expertise in minimally invasive cardiac surgery procedures, including heart valve procedures. Standard open-heart surgery typically requires a procedure known as a median sternotomy (dividing the breastbone), which is considered one of the most invasive and traumatic aspects of open-chest surgery. Our expert minimally invasive approach allows us to reduce these traumatic aspects of heart surgery, giving us access to the heart through small incisions, without stopping the heart, separating the breastbone and ribcage or requiring a heart-lung machine to be used. Minimally invasive procedures typically mean you experience less pain and have a faster recovery than traditional open-heart surgery methods.

Minimally invasive cardiac procedures we offer include:

  • Cardiac electrophysiology service
  • MAZE procedure for treatment of atrial fibrillation
  • Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB)
  • Minimally invasive heart valve surgery
  • Minimally invasive treatment for atrial septal defect (ASD)
  • Minimally invasive treatment for ventricular septal defect (VSD)
  • Multi-vessel small thoracotomy
  • Single-vessel small thoracotomy

Minimally Invasive Procedure Calms Atrial Fibrillation

Innovative Heart Surgery Specialists

With a history of aggressively advancing our minimally invasive surgery program, we performed the first robotic mitral valve surgery on the West Coast. We also were the first to adopt the routine use of the minimally invasive transthoracic approach. We have become a center for teaching the procedures and techniques involved in minimally invasive valve surgery to surgeons in the United States. As an academic medical institution, we give you direct access to the latest treatment approaches, using innovation as a guide when conventional therapy is not an option.

Conditions We Treat

  • Atrial and ventricular septal defects
  • Atrial fibrillation
  • Coronary artery disease
  • Heart valve disease

Treatments and Services We Offer

Maze Procedure

The Maze Procedure is surgery performed to treat atrial fibrillation, a common cardiac arrhythmia. During the procedure, a number of incisions are made on the left and right atria to form scar tissue, which does not conduct electricity and disrupts the path of abnormal electrical impulses. The scar tissue also prevents erratic electrical signals from recurring. After the incisions are made, the atrium is sewn together to allow it to hold blood and contract to push blood into the ventricle.

Minimally Invasive Maze Surgery

Minimally invasive maze surgery is performed through small keyhole incisions made between the ribs, through which a tiny camera and video-guided instruments are inserted. When appropriate, robots are used to assist the surgeon during the procedure.

This minimally invasive surgery eliminates the need for dividing the breastbone, does not require the heart to be stopped and does not require a heart-lung machine to be used. This often results in less pain, shorter recovery times and a lower risk of infection associated with open-heart surgery.

Robotic Surgery

Our USC Cardiac and Vascular Institute surgeons were the first surgical team in Southern California to perform heart surgery using the da Vinci(R) Surgical System, repairing the mitral valve of a patient using robotic surgery. We are devoted to conducting research to advance the use of robotic techniques in the fields of heart and lung surgery.

Why Choose Us for Minimally Invasive Cardiac Care

Our specialists are leaders in heart disease treatment, with vast experience in minimally invasive surgical procedures.

Our minimally invasive options help you avoid open-heart surgery, so you heal faster and with less pain.

USC Cardiac and Vascular Institute is recognized by the American Heart Association as a leader in heart care.

We are recognized as one of the best cardiology, heart and vascular surgery programs in the country by U.S. News & World Report.

Latest News & Articles