Heart Port

Heart Port is a way of doing bypass or mitral valve surgery through a small opening or "port" in the chest wall between ribs. This minimally invasive surgery is different from traditional bypass surgery:

• Your surgeon will not have to cut through your breast bone.
• You will have a small, 2-3 inch incision under your breast (where it will not be as noticeable as the traditional 12 inch incision in the middle of your chest.)
• You will spend less time in the hospital (usually 1-3 days).
• It will take less time for you to recover.
• You will have less pain and less trauma.

Not every patient in need of heart surgery is a candidate for Heart Port minimally invasive surgery. There are certain criteria that must be evaluated by the surgeon. It is the surgeon who will make the final decision as to who is an appropriate candidate for Heart Port.

What Happens During Surgery?

1. The doctors will give you anesthesia to put you to sleep.
2. A tube will be placed in your mouth which will connect you to a breathing machine.
3. The doctors will then insert tubes (IVs) into the blood vessels in your groin and neck and move them through the blood vessel until the tubes reach the heart. During surgery, these tubes carry the medicines to your heart and connect you to a machine that will work for your heart and lungs.
4. The surgeon then makes one or more small holes or 'ports' in your chest between your ribs. The surgeon can see your heart through small scopes.
5. If you are having bypass surgery, a blood vessel will be taken from your arm, chest or leg. This blood vessel will be used to bypass the blocked area in the coronary artery. The incision will be under your LEFT breast.
   —or—
   If you are having mitral valve surgery, the valve will be replaced and/or repaired through this opening. The incision will be under the RIGHT breast.
6. After surgery, the incision will be covered with a bandage and you will be taken from the operating room to the Surgical Heart Unit (SHU).

What Happens After Surgery?

1. You will wake up with tubes (IVs) in your neck and an incision in one groin. The breathing tube will still be in your mouth. As soon as you are awake enough, the breathing tube will be taken out. This usually occurs about 2-6 hours after surgery.
2. You will be encouraged to cough, breathe deeply and do frequent breathing exercises. This is necessary to prevent fluids from collecting in your lungs after surgery.
3. Later in the evening, you will be offered a light meal.
4. The tubes (IVs) in your neck may remain until the next day.
5. When you are ready, we will assist you to sit in the chair. This usually occurs within eight hours after surgery.
6. After surgery, you may be able to walk short distances in the hall with help.
7. You will be able to go home in 1-3 days or when your health care team feels you are ready.
8. Sexual activity can be resumed 3-4 weeks after your surgery, once you can walk up and down two flights of stairs without difficulty (for some patients, it may be sooner.)

Discharge Instructions

• Take care of your incision. Gently wash it with mild soap and warm water. Do not scrub. Pat dry.
• You may bathe four days after surgery.
• Use your breathing devise (incentive spirometer) 4-5 times a day for the first week at home.
• You should wear your support stockings during the day every day until you see your surgeon.
• You are encouraged to walk around the house and short distances outside. Gradually increase the distances you walk. You may go up and down stairs.
• You may lift no more than 10 pounds until you see your surgeon.
• Do not drive until you see your surgeon, usually in one week.
• You may go back to work in 1-2 weeks, depending on your type of work. If you do manual labor, it may be longer.

Call your surgeon or clinical nurse specialist if you have any of the following:

• A fever of 101^oF
• A weight gain of 3 pounds in one week
• Any redness, swelling, drainage, or odor from your incisions
• Any irregular or fast heart beat that is new
• Any shortness of breath
• Any questions