Surgical treatment of cardiac valve disease is a major pillar of the Department of Cardiac Surgery. Thanks to significant improvements in science and technology, our standard surgical approach has evolved in the last years: all patients are considered candidates for minimally invasive surgery. Only in case of contraindications surgery is proposed and performed in the traditional manner (full sternotomy, i.e. complete longitudinal division of the breast bone).

There are several techniques for less invasive surgical access to the heart valves. They all have in common that, compared to the traditional approach, they result in better stability of the thorax and a faster recovery of normal daily life after surgery. Application of these access techniques requires a change of concept and mental attitude in the whole surgical and anaesthesiology team. This process has been successfully accomplished and we are proud to offer the minimally invasive approach as our standard approach to valve surgery at the same high safety standards compared to the traditional approach.

Below you can find some notes on special techniques and approaches.

• Aortic valve
• Mitral valve
• Tricuspid valve