Physicians at The Nebraska Medical Center are revolutionizing the way we perform cardiac surgeries by introducing newer, less invasive approaches to surgery. Patients requiring heart valve surgery now have the option of undergoing a much less traumatic procedure than traditional surgery called minimally invasive heart valve surgery. The procedure, which is performed through a two-inch incision and requires only a partial split of the chest bone, reduces post-operative pain and distress, minimizes blood loss and speeds recovery.

Traditionally, the procedure required the complete split of the chest bone through a six-to-eight inch incision, giving the surgeon direct access to the heart. Recovery time is normally a week with traditional surgery. The minimally invasive procedure also cuts recovery time in half to three to four days.

Mohammed Quader, M.D., a cardio-thoracic surgeon at The Nebraska Heart Institute and The Nebraska Medical Center, trained at the Cleveland Clinic where this procedure was pioneered, and recently brought this new technology to Omaha.

Who needs Heart Valve Surgery?

More than 80,000 people will need their heart valves replaced or repaired each year. The valves play a critical role in helping the heart pump blood efficiently throughout the body. In some individuals, the valves will become narrowed through a condition called stenosis, or they will begin to leak. These conditions put added strain on the heart and decrease the amount of blood that is pumped to the rest of the body. If the valves are not repaired or replaced, it could lead to congestive heart failure. Heart valve problems are most commonly caused by congenital defects, infection and degeneration of the valves.

Repair versus Replacement

Whenever possible, heart valve repair is the procedure of choice over replacement. Heart valve repair allows the patient to retain their own natural tissue, decreases the risk of stroke, the need for blood thinning medications and the bleeding risks associated with them and has better long-term survival rates than valve replacement.

Valve repair may involve techniques such as removing calcium deposits, patching tears or holes, removing a prolapsing segment of valve, reshaping the vale opening to widen the valve or allow it to close properly.

Of those who need valve surgery ,over 65 percent will undergo complete replacement of their valve. Dr. Quader specializes in the more technically demanding heart valve repair which he says is superior to replacement.

More than 90 percent of patients are candidates for heart valve repair. However, because the procedure is more difficult to perform, physicians need specialized training, notes Dr. Quader. Patients who would not qualify for repair include those with severely calcified valves secondary to severe rheumatic mitral valve disease.