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The cardiovascular specialists at UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute perform iSVR, a minimally invasive procedure that treats conditions of the aortic, mitral, and tricuspid valves.
Our cardiovascular specialists are some of the most experienced in the region and began performing the iSVR procedure in 2014 to treat aortic valve disorders. Since then, our skilled surgeons have complete hundreds of iSVR procedures with excellent outcomes.
iSVR is a minimally invasive procedure that treats conditions of the aortic, mitral, and tricuspid valves. Using the iSVR approach, your surgeon can access your valves through the intercostal space between your ribs using a one-and-a-half-inch incision in your chest — without cutting your breastbone. Our surgeons use iSVR for several procedures, including:
Traditional open-chest valve replacement procedures usually require large incisions and/or the division of major muscle groups, ribs, and cartilage. In addition to causing less trauma to the body, iSVR offers several benefits, including:
A traditional sternotomy includes a vertical incision along the sternum in which the sternum is divided or "cracked" itself.
The breastbone is cut to the fourth interspace and then closed using stainless steel wires at the end of the procedure.
A small incision is made on the anterior chest with division of major chest muscle, rib/cartilage, and right internal mammary artery (RIMA). It requires closure using steel plate or wires for the rib/cartilage.
You will be positioned on a table and placed under general anesthesia. You will be connected to a heart-lung bypass machine that will take over the function of your heart and lungs during your operation.
Your doctor will make a one-and-a-half-inch incision in your chest and access your heart through the intercostal space between your ribs. Your doctor will then perform your valve repair or replacement.
When your heart valve procedure is completed, you will be moved to recovery for observation and monitoring. Your doctor will provide more information about your recovery and your hospital stay.
Your doctor will provide more information about your recovery after iSVR and will let you know when you can resume your normal activities. When compared to traditional open-chest surgery, patients who have an iSVR procedure typically experience less pain, have a shorter hospital stay, and recover more quickly. However, you should follow your doctor's instructions and go to all of your follow-up appointments.
Contact the Valve Clinic at: 1-855-275-6478
UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute
Located at Brady Building
205 South Front Street
4th floor
Harrisburg, PA 17104
Phone: 717-231-8555
Fax: 717-231-8568
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