Cardiovascular Center
Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery
Nationally recognized in their sub-specialties, the Cardiovascular Center's surgeons offer the most experienced team in the Intermountain West in minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS).
As the only medical center in Utah to offer MICS, our Cardiothoracic Program has built a successful and growing track record by employing innovative and less invasive surgical techniques. The experienced precision of our surgeons is backed up by the most advanced imaging technologies available.
To contact us, please select a surgeon from the provider list and use the contact number provided.
Resources:
About Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery (MICS)
Who is a candidate for Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery (MICS)?
About Minimally Invasive Surgery
Is the pre-operative evaluation different with MICS?
In general, all patients being evaluated for cardiac surgery are thoroughly screened. Firstly, we must make sure that the surgery is indeed indicated. Many patients avoid visiting a heart surgeon as they fear they will be hastily taken to the operating room.
To the contrary, our job is not only to know when to operate, but also when not to operate. This requires experience and sound judgment in order to counsel our patients and their families well. If surgery is indicated, then the actual approach minimally invasive or traditional does not dictate a particular pre-operative evaluation. We will be best prepared to deal with any situations that are specific to our patients.
How do you do the surgery through such small holes?
Evolving technology has allowed development of instruments and techniques such that many surgeries can be performed through the smaller incisions. Although many of the operations pose additional challenges with limited access, the fundamental concepts governing cardiac repair remain similar as those performed in the open manner.
What are the complications of MICS? How do they differ from traditional heart surgery?
Heart surgery, of any type, has inherent risks regardless of a particular approach. Commonly cited complications include infection, bleeding, stroke, electrical conduction problems, organ failure, arrhythmias, and death. Fortunately, these complications, even in the open operations are relatively rare. Isolated valve operations should carry a mortality rate <1-2%.
Although many procedures can be performed without the use of the cardiopulmonary bypass machine, valvular operations require the use of the heart-lung machine. Typically, the access for this machine is through tubes placed in the groin artery and vein. Patients can experience numbness or drainage at the groin incision site. In addition, some patients will experience temporary numbness under their right breast at the site of the chest incision. As mentioned above, MICS typically carries lower complication rates because there is less risk of bleeding, earlier ambulation and return to activity, and less risk of infection.
Who is a candidate?
The majority of minimally-invasive cardiac surgery is directed to patients with valvular heart disease including aortic, mitral, and tricuspid valve stenosis (narrowin) or regurgitation (leaking). In addition, minimally invasive cardiac surgery can be used for the treatment of atrial fibrillation closure of atrial septal defects and patent foramen ovales, and certain patients requiring coronary artery bypass surgery.
Conditions treated with MICS
Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery (MICS) provides a unique approach to many traditional cardiac surgery operations. At University Health Care, we perform the following operations using minimally-invasive techniques:
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Mitral valve repair or replacement
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Aortic valve repair or replacement
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Tricuspid valve repair or replacement
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Modified Maze procedure
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Atrial septal defect repairs
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Patent foramen ovale repairs
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Limited coronary artery bypass grafting
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Epicardial lead placement
Jonathan S. Allan, PA-C, M.S.
Locations| Huntsman Cancer Hospital | |
| University Hospital | (801) 581-5311 |
Specialties: Cardiothoracic Surgery, Physician Assistant
David A. Bull, M.D.
Locations| University Hospital | (801) 581-5311 |
Specialties: Cardiac Mechanical Support, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Coronary Revascularization, Esophageal Surgery, Heart Transplant, Lung Cancer, Lung Transplant, Valvular Heart Disease
Phillip T. Burch, M.D.
Locations| Primary Children's Medical Center | (801) 662-5577 |
Specialties: Cardiothoracic Surgery, Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery
Shamus R. Carr, M.D., FACS
Locations| Huntsman Cancer Hospital | (801) 587-4470 |
| University Hospital | (801) 581-5311 |
Specialties: Barrett's Esophagus, Bronchoscopy surgery, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Esophageal Diseases, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Lung Cancer, Minimally Invasive Gastrointestinal Surgery, Therapeutic Endoscopy
Jessica M. De St Jeor, B.S.
Specialties: Cardiothoracic Surgery
Aaron W. Eckhauser, M.D., M.S.C.I
Specialties: Cardiac Mechanical Support, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Heart Transplant, Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery
Peter J. Gruber, M.D., Ph.D.
Locations| Primary Children's Medical Center | (801) 662-5566 |
Specialties: Cardiac Mechanical Support, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Heart Transplant, Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery
Kyle Gubler, PA-C
Specialties: Cardiothoracic Surgery, Physician Assistant
Terri M. Hancock, DNP, ACNP-BC
Locations| University Hospital | (801) 581-5311 |
Specialties: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Cardiothoracic Surgery
Aditya K. Kaza, M.D.
Locations| Primary Children's Medical Center | (801) 662-5566 |
Specialties: Cardiac Mechanical Support, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Heart Transplant, Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery
Antigoni Koliopoulou, M.D.
Specialties: Cardiothoracic Surgery
Ganesh S. Kumpati, M.D.
Locations| University Hospital | (801) 581-5311 |
| Veterans Administration Medical Center | (801) 582-1565 |
Specialties: Cardiothoracic Surgery
Thomas Lewis, PA-C
Locations| University Hospital | (801) 231-2200 |
Specialties: Cardiothoracic Surgery, Physician Assistant
Stephen McKellar, M.D., M.Sc.
Specialties: Cardiac Mechanical Support, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Coronary Revascularization, Heart Failure, Heart Transplant, Lung Transplant, Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery, Minimally Invasive Lung & Esophageal Surgery, Valvular Heart Disease
Amit N. Patel, M.D., B.S., M.S.
Locations| University Hospital | (801) 587-7946 |
Specialties: Cardiothoracic Surgery, Heart Failure, Heart Stem Cell Therapy, Heart Transplant, Lung Transplant, Valvular Heart Disease
Craig H. Selzman, M.D.
Locations| University Hospital | (801) 587-9348 |
Specialties: Adult Congenital Heart Disease, Cardiac Mechanical Support, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Coronary Revascularization, Heart Failure, Heart Stem Cell Therapy, Heart Transplant, Lung Transplant, Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery, Surgical Ventricular Restoration, Valvular Heart Disease
Nathan C. Sontum, PA-C, M.H.S.
Specialties: Cardiothoracic Surgery
Scott A. Tatum, PA-C
Locations| University Hospital | (801) 581-2121 |
Specialties: Cardiothoracic Surgery, Physician Assistant
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