Maryland Heart Center

Minimally Invasive Aortic Valve Surgery

Aortic Valve Bypass (AVB)

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Dr. Gammie’s Bio | Q&A Archive

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Aortic valve bypass surgery was first performed more than 30 years ago, but has been an infrequently applied approach for patients with aortic stenosis (obstruction of the aortic valve).

Cardiac surgeons at the University of Maryland Medical Center are pioneering resurgent interest in the aortic valve bypass, a minimally invasive approach for higher-risk patients (older patients and those who have had previous heart surgery) with symptomatic aortic stenosis. This approach is performed through a keyhole incision using videoscopic assistance. A breastbone-splitting incision is avoided.

Early outcomes in very high-risk patients have been gratifying, and we are enthusiastic that this approach is ideally suited for patients who otherwise might not be considered candidates for conventional aortic valve replacement.

Aortic Valve Bypass vs. Conventional Aortic Valve Replacement

Advantages of the aortic valve bypass compared to conventional aortic valve replacement include:

An Aortic Valve Bypass (AVB)

Coventional Aortic Valve Replacement

	Aortic Valve Bypass	Conventional (open) Aortic Valve Replacement
Breastbone incision	No	Yes
Small left chest incision	Yes	No
Heart Lung machine	uncommon	Mandatory (1 ½ - 2 hours)
Need for blood thinner	never	yes – if mechanical valve used
Heart stopped during surgery	No	yes
Long-term risk of stroke	unknown*	1 – 2 percent per YEAR

*Risk of stroke is likely LOW: about 30 percent of blood flow (including to the brain) continues through the patients own (narrow) valve; blood flow across the substitute valve (where clots can form) never reaches the brain.

You may be a candidate for aortic valve bypass surgery if:

you are more than 65 years of age
you have a narrowed aortic valve that is causing symptoms (shortness of breath, fainting, and/or chest pain)
you do not have blockages of the coronary arteries

For More Information

We would be delighted to discuss this option with you at any time. Call 410-328-5842, and ask for Dr. James Gammie.

Please call if you would like to make an appointment or talk to someone about our services. Patients dial 1-800-492-5538 or 410-328-5842, physicians dial 410-328-6622 or 1-800-318-1019.