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About minimally invasive microwave surgical ablation

Minimally invasive microwave surgical ablation is an advanced technique that requires much smaller incisions in the chest compared with traditional heart surgery. For this reason, it is generally easier for patients to recover from and allows for a faster return to normal activities.

What to expect before the procedure

For most patients, the minimally invasive microwave surgical ablation procedure is elective. This allows patients to come in on the same day as their procedure. You will meet with your cardiologist, surgeon, anesthesiologist, and nurse several days before to take steps to get ready. You may receive instructions including:

• Bring your anesthesiologist a list of any and all medications that you are taking—even over-the-counter drugs like ibuprofen or aspirin
• Do not eat or drink anything after midnight on the night before your surgery
• Do not bring personal items such as your watch, wallet, or jewelry to the hospital; ask a loved one to keep them for you.

About the minimally invasive procedure

Unlike traditional heart surgery, which requires a long incision, with the minimally invasive procedure there is “minimal invasion” into the chest cavity. As a result, patients undergoing the minimally invasive procedure generally heal faster and return to daily activities more rapidly.

During the minimally invasive microwave surgical ablation procedure

When providing the minimally invasive microwave surgical ablation treatment, your surgeon will use microwave energy from the Guidant FLEX Microwave Surgical Ablation System to create lesions (helpful scars) on the heart muscle.

During the minimally invasive microwave surgical ablation procedure:

1. The surgeon usually will make small incisions called ports in the chest. Typically, there will be six ports in total (1⁄2'' to 3⁄4'' in size). Using an endoscope—a tiny camera that can be inserted into the ports—the surgeon is able to view the heart without having to open the chest cavity.
2. The surgeon will then insert special instruments through the ports to perform the procedure, including the endoscope, small scissors, and graspers. These tools will help the surgeon move the Guidant FLEX Probe—a narrow, flexible device—into position.
3. Using the Probe, the surgeon will then deliver targeted amounts of microwave energy to the heart. This will create the lesions.

What to expect after your procedure

Once the incisions are closed, each can be covered with a Band- Aid ®. You may also have a small drainage tube for one to two days. Specially trained nurses will monitor your recovery closely. If you feel pain, don’t hesitate to ask for pain medication; your doctors and nurses want you to be comfortable. They will talk to you about your specific situation and give you guidelines for your care at home. After surgery, most patients will usually:

• Have necessary postsurgical medications prescribed
• Receive some tests including an electrocardiogram (ECG)
• Start on a cardiac rehabilitation walking program before leaving the hospital, to speed recovery
• Have follow-up appointments with their local doctor and cardiologist

The content on this website is intended to provide you with a better understanding of coronary artery disease, beating heart bypass surgery and endoscopic vessel harvesting. The procedures described in this website and related links may not be appropriate for all patients. The information on this website and maintain an open dialogue with you and your an informed discussion with a physician, and is not an endorsement or recommendation of any particular physician.

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