Heart Surgery (Minimally Invasive)

Open-heart surgery is a common operation to fix problems with your heart. But traditional open-heart surgery usually means an extended recovery period, increased trauma to your body, and a higher risk of infection or complications.

That’s why cardiothoracic surgeons at University of Iowa Health Care are dedicated to providing minimally invasive heart surgery options to patients who qualify. In fact, we offer the most robust minimally invasive heart surgery program, including robotic heart surgery, in Iowa. Our surgeons see the most complex patients and perform the most minimally invasive surgeries in the state.

Minimally invasive heart surgery techniques use smaller incisions to reduce scarring, trauma, and the risk of serious complications or infections. This means shorter hospital stays and quicker recovery times to help you get back to the things you love.

Recovery time for minimally invasive heart surgeries is often much quicker than open-heart surgeries, allowing you to get back to your usual activities faster. After the procedure, you will need to spend at least one night in the intensive care unit (ICU) for observation.

After that, you will be moved to a regular hospital bed for a few days. The length of your stay will depend on the type of surgery and whether you have any additional health conditions that need to be monitored.

Your surgeon will provide additional care instructions before you’re discharged from the hospital. For the weeks following, you may be more tired than usual and will need to avoid certain activities such as working, driving, or exercising. Most people can return to their regular activities within four weeks.

You will also need regular checkups with your doctor to make sure recovery is going as intended. Your doctor may also recommend a cardiac rehabilitation program to help you develop healthier habits, such as eating a healthy diet, getting consistent exercise, and managing stress.