MIS, Heart Port & laser surgery??

[catwoman]

Have searched vr.com under laser and wasn't sure if what I found answered my question.

Co-worker has friend recently diagnosed with mitral valve problems. I've provided couple of names of surgeons in Dallas, one with national reputation. Today, co-worker says his friend has asked about MIS laser surgery for valve repair.
I'm not really finding much about this.

Anyone have any leads I can pursue?

TIA...

 

[tobagotwo]

I spent some time looking, and find lasers mentioned in CABG procedures, but not so far in valve repair. I guess there's no reason it couldn't be used, and it probably is, somewhere. I just couldn't find a mention of it. Maybe I'll page around again tonight looking for it.

The other possibility is that the coworker was confused. Somehow, it seems as if nearly everyone who hasn't been under the knife (OK, saw) for OHS assumes that all heart surgeries are Coronary Artery Bypass Grafts.

They also refer to angioplasties and stenting as operations, which they are not. (Not at all to dismiss the gravity of those procedures.)

Best wishes,

 

[bvdr]

About a year and a half ago my cardio wanted to schedule me for a cutting balloon angioplasty for two ostial lesions I have in my coronary arteries. I believe that procedure may use laser but I am not 100% sure. I ended up not getting that done but having my mitral valve replaced instead....it is a long story. I have not heard of laser being used with MIS.

 

[catwoman]

Bob and Betty:

Thanks for the responses.
I hadn't found any web references to lasers being used for mitral valve replacement or repair. (All my work is done via the internet, so when I have downtime, it's simple to do an internet search.)