Complications of Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgical Procedures

Abstract

All surgical and anesthetic procedures convey some degree of risk. New procedures in cardiac surgery are being developed for which patterns of complications are just beginning to emerge. The experience with minimally invasive direct coronary bypass, transmyocar dial laser revascularization, and Port-Access cardiac surgery is reviewed with emphasis on perioperative complications and causes of early morbidity and mortal ity.