In minimally invasive heart surgery, heart surgeons perform heart surgery through small incisions in the right side of your chest, as an alternative to open heart surgery.

1. Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Dr. Giovanni Ciuffo
In minimally invasive heart surgery, heart surgeons perform heart surgery through small incisions in the
right side of your chest, as an alternative to open heart surgery.
According to the Mayo Clinic the definition of minimally invasive heart surgery is the following. In
minimally invasive heart surgery, heart (cardiac) surgeons perform heart surgery through small incisions
in the right side of your chest, as an alternative to open heart surgery. Surgeons operate between the
ribs and don't split the breastbone (sternotomy), which results in less pain and a quicker recovery for
most people. In minimally invasive surgery, your heart surgeon has a better view of some parts of your
heart than in open heart surgery. As in open surgery, minimally invasive heart surgery requires stopping
your heart temporarily and diverting blood flow from your heart using a heart-lung machine.
Minimally Invasive and Bloodless Heart Surgery
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.
Dr. Giovanni B. Ciuffo
The adoption of Bloodless Heart Surgery techniques is an important aspect of the care of cardiovascular
patients. Dr. Ciuffo started to employ these techniques in the late 90′s to comply with the religious
beliefs of the Jehovah’s Witness congregations first in Pittsburgh and in New York City and now in his
specialized national referral center for Bloodless Heart Surgery.
Dr. Giovanni B. Ciuffo is the Director of the Minimally Invasive and Bloodless Heart Surgery Aultman
Heart Center. He is board certified by the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of
Thoracic Surgery.
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.