Gently replacing the aortic valve. - After this heart surgery, merely a little scar is left behind.
A disruption in heart rhythm, chest pain, or shortness of breath could signify an issue with a heart valve. In many cases, the valve requires replacement with an artificial one. A common problem with heart valves is aortic valve stenosis.
This is typically followed by a traditional operation where the breastbone is broken, and the chest cavity is opened. The patient is connected to a heart-lung machine, and the heart is stopped. The faulty valve is then removed and replaced with an artificial one. This process is highly stressful for patients, prompting Prof. Utz Kappert to develop a new, minimally invasive method for aortic valve replacement in 2014, which has been in use since 2020 and is currently being studied.
A small incision in the chest wall
Kappert is a heart surgeon and has directed the Center for Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery at the Heart Center Dresden of the University Hospital since 2019. In his approach, a small cut is made on the right side of the chest wall. Over 200 patients have already undergone treatment in Dresden using this method, which is now part of a research study.
This operation is significantly less taxing on patients and virtually unnoticeable cosmetically.
Furthermore, the risk of wound healing issues is lower in comparison to the conventional procedure. "Patients can return to their daily routines just a few days after the treatment with minimal to no visible scarring," says Kappert.
The new surgery method spreads worldwide
The novel approach from Dresden hopes to conquer operating rooms around the world.
Doctors from about 80 clinics underwent training at the Dresden training center to learn the method. Kappert emphasizes the importance of applying the latest research to treat as many heart patients as possible with the least stressful interventions. He aspires to foster collaboration among medical professionals and achieve efficient surgery with a low complication rate.
Already, there are initial successes, with some clinics in Germany and Europe employing this method more regularly. Additionally, patients are traveling from all over Germany to Dresden for treatment. "These are the rewards of a decade of visionary work," says Kappert.
"Our ultimate goal is for every patient with a structural heart disease to be treated through either interventional or minimally invasive procedures," says Kappert. While this may not be feasible immediately, a positive trend is evident.
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Source: symclub.org
