History of Minimally Invasive Coronary Surgery

Minimally invasive surgery is an attractive choice for patients undergoing major cardiac surgery. In this article, we review the history of minimally invasive heart valve surgery. With many innovations in surgical instruments, artificial circulatory systems, imaging and robotic systems, and surgical techniques, minimally invasive cardiac surgery has become the standard treatment for valve injuries. In particular, aortic cross-clamping techniques and cardioplegia techniques using a Chitwood clamp and root cannula or endoballoon catheter combined with femoral-femoral bypass systems have made such procedures safer and more practical. On the other hand, robotic surgery has not become standard due to cost and slow learning curve. However, along with the development of robotics, this less invasive method may provide patients with another choice in the near future.