Minimally invasive surgery is normally used only for one or two bypasses, and the heart is still beating. The balloon clamp is inserted through the aorta and blown up, isolating the heart from the rest of the circulatory system. This can all be done without ever opening the chest. The surgeon then has complete access to the arteries through a tiny incision. The heart is placed on a bypass machine that performs the work of the patient's lungs and heart, and a cardioplegia solution is delivered to the heart to make it still and bloodless.
Some patients are as wary of the venous aspect as the heart surgery itself.
The minimally invasive technique eliminates that concern. Dr. Kupferschmid, the newest team member, explains that each surgeon looks at the keyhole procedure from a slightly different angle. Keyhole surgery prevents this. Also, as Dr. Calhoon pointed out, there are innumerable cosmetic advantages. We had a nice, easy approach.