Minimally invasive mitral valve repair using transthoracic aortic occlusion

This report describes a minimally invasive mitral valve repair done through a limited (6-cm) thoracic incision. The patient was supported by peripheral extracorporeal perfusion with cardiac arrest established using a new transthoracic aortic cross-clamp and antegrade blood cardioplegia. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 3 with minimal pain. This less invasive approach to mitral valve surgery may offer combined advantages to patients by increasing comfort, expediting recovery, and decreasing surgical costs by using modified traditional methods compared with specialized intraaortic occlusive balloons. (C) 1997 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.