Video: Mini-Thoracotomy For Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Repair?

Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Page Last Updated: May 9, 2025

As I remember... Once diagnosed with severe heart valve disease, many patients begin researching surgical options immediately.

During that process, we quickly realize that different approaches for open heart surgery exist. One approach, the mini-thoracotomy, deploys a surgical technique unlike a median sternotomy, robotic surgery or transcatheter procedure.

In the past, we have discussed mini-thoracotomy for aortic valve replacement. To learn more about minimally-invasive techniques for mitral valve repair, please watch this video with Dr. Marc Gerdisch, a leading mitral valve repair surgeon who has successfully treated over 100 patients in our community.

To learn more about mini-thoracotomy (also referred to as port access), you might want to consider the following:

I hope the video and information provided above helps us all learn more about mini-thoracotomy for heart valve surgery.

Keep on tickin!
Adam

Written by Adam Pick
Patient & Website Founder

Written by Adam Pick - Patient & Website Founder

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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