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"Are You On The Heart-Lung Machine Longer During Robotic Valve Surgery?" Asks Nina

Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Page Last Updated: May 10, 2025

I just received a very interesting question from Nina about robotic heart valve repair and the heart-lung machine (also known as the "pump").

Heart-Lung Machine Diagram

Nina writes, "Hi Adam - I've been reading your blog and patient comments about thoracotomy versus sternotomy for mitral valve repair. But, I have not found a similar post about the robotic procedure. I need a valve repair and I'm leaning towards the da Vinci robot. However, I have heard that patients are on the pump for much longer. Do you have any data on this? Thanks, Nina"

Nina raises a common concern for patients specific to the heart-lung machine for many reasons including the ongoing debate about pumphead.

So... To obtain the best answer to Nina's question, I contacted Dr. W. Randolph Chitwood. As you may know, Dr. Chitwood is the director of the East Carolina Heart Institute. But, more importantly for this question, Dr. Chitwood pioneered the use of the da Vinci Surgical Robot for mitral valve repair. Dr. Chitwood is also the past-president of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.

Dr. W. Randolph Chitwood

In response to Nina's question Dr. Chitwood wrote to me, "Adam - For those of us have done many, many, many da Vinci robotic mitral repairs the pump times are typically no more than 15 minutes longer. Today, I did a procedure with less than 90 minutes on the pump. The repair was complete in 45 minutes. Please encourage Nina to select a surgeon who has extensive experience with robotic valve repairs. Regards, Dr. Chitwood"

I hope that helps helps Nina (and perhaps you) better understand the use of the heart-lung machine during robotic valve repair.

Written by Adam Pick - Patient & Website Founder

Adam Pick is a heart valve patient and author of The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. In 2006, Adam founded HeartValveSurgery.com to educate and empower patients. This award-winning website has helped over 10 million people fight heart valve disease. Adam has been featured by the American Heart Association and Medical News Today.

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