Brigham and Womens Surgeons to Showcase Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery on the Internet.

Aortic valve replacement procedure topic of hospitals third webcast

BOSTON, MA (PRWEB) August 31, 2003 -- On September 4 at 4:30 ET, surgeons at Brigham and Womens Hospital (BWH) in Boston will replace a patients aortic valve during a live Internet broadcast. The webcast, which is the third in a series, is intended to educate medical students, cardiac surgeons, and the general public about the latest minimally invasive techniques now available for such a procedure.

Minimally invasive aortic valve replacement is not as widely performed as the more traditional form of surgery, which requires the patient to undergo a complete sternotomy in order to access the heart. However, the less-invasive form of the surgery is gaining popularity among cardiothoracic surgeons as technology improves and the benefits to the patients increase.

The aortic valve, located on the left side of the heart, is the opening through which blood is ejected to the rest of the body. When the valve does not work properly -- either because of a birth defect or from wear associated with aging -- it becomes too narrow or fails to close completely. Either condition usually causes extraordinary stress on the heart, and can cause fluid retention and eventually severe heart failure.

While the success rate on this type of surgery is very high, the recovery process, traditionally, can be a painful experience for the patient," said Lawrence Cohn, MD, of BWH. By performing the less-invasive version of this surgery, the patient may enjoy a faster and less uncomfortable recovery."

Cohn said that in addition to swifter recovery times and less post-operative pain, patients also require shorter respiratory support time and experience less blood loss. There is also a decreased risk of infection associated with the minimally invasive approach, Cohn said.

After this surgery, patients usually can expect to return to healthy, and more active lifestyles," said Cohn. Now that the procedure can be done with minimally invasive techniques, their quality of life immediately after surgery also improves significantly."

To Access Broadcast: www.or-live.com/BrighamandWomens/1127

Contact Information:

Jeff Ventura -- Brigham & Womens Hospital
Amy Dayton
Pamela Powell   
(617) 534-1600

Carol Green -- slp3D
Director of Marketing
860-953-2900 x214
cgreen@slp3d.com