by DrCiuffo | May 27, 2016 | Articles, Blog
It can be confusing to understand the difference between having minimally invasive surgery and having open heart surgery, so if you or your loved one have been told that heart surgery is needed, it’s important that you know exactly what that means. Before you have minimally invasive heart surgery in Canton, Ohio, let’s review the difference between the two options. Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery Vs. Open Heart Surgery With minimally invasive heart surgery, the surgeon will make the needed number of small incisions in between your ribs. Surgical instruments connected to robotic arms with a camera will be inserted into the incision. This type of robotic surgery will be controlled by the surgeon with a computerized device that allows the doctor to manipulate the instruments to perform your procedure with precision. Open heart surgery is a surgical cardiac procedure where your chest is surgically opened to correct problems in your: Arteries Heart muscle Valves Related structures While your heart may not be “opened” for surgery, typically open heart surgery consists of stopping your heart while a heart-lung machine does its work so that your surgeon can perform the procedure. Open heart surgery requires a 6-8 inch incision in your chest which may involve temporary placement of a pacemaker that will help regulate your heartbeat. Though each case is unique, open heart surgery is best when the patient needs a complex cardiac operation, complex aortic procedure, or multiple coronary artery bypass procedures. Is there less pain from a minimally invasive surgery than from an open heart surgery? Yes. Since minimally invasive heart... by DrCiuffo | Nov 3, 2014 | Articles
Minimally Invasive Aortic Valve Replacement is the Best Option – Learn How it is Done and Why Surgical approaches to aortic valve disease have dramatically improved by the introduction of minimally invasive aortic valve replacement techniques. In light of these new technologies, elderly patients can enjoy quicker and painless recoveries. This allows them to return to their families and homes two to three days after surgery. The aortic valve is a one-way valve that opens into the Aorta. There are two basic problems that can affect its function: If it does not open properly, the heart struggles against the resistance of a closed, stiff valve impairing the ability of the heart to empty out when contracting. This condition is called Aortic Valve Stenosis. The opposite end of the spectrum shows that the same valve may be “leaky” and not close completely when the heart is in between contractions. This makes the heart’s pumping action very inefficient. A good portion of the oxygenated blood that is pumped forward will leak back into the heart. This condition is known as Aortic Valve Insufficiency or Regurgitation. Read the full article here... by DrCiuffo | Nov 3, 2014 | Articles
Atrial Myxomas Are Successfully Treated With Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery – Learn How It Is Done Atrial myxoma is arguably the most common benign tumor of the heart. The presence of a bulky and friable Atrial Myxoma inside the heart is very dangerous. This is due to the fact that because it causes complications like sudden death and congestive heart failure. When fragments of a tumor break off and travel to the brain or a leg, catastrophic strokes or gangrene may occur. Sometimes the only signs are a vague malaise, headaches, and flu-like symptoms. The diagnosis can be confirmed by an ultrasound of the heart, or an echocardiogram. Many people dread the prospect of a heart operation because of the big 10″ incision through their breast bone that may be necessary followed by a painful and slow recovery. This is no longer the case in most advanced Heart Surgery Centers. Minimally Invasive Atrial Myxoma surgery is available to cure this pathology. With new state of the art technologies and the skilled hand of Dr. Ciuffo, this procedure is performed regularly and with a much faster recovery time than most traditional surgeries. Read the full article here... by DrCiuffo | Nov 3, 2014 | Articles
Minimally Invasive Atrial Myxoma Surgery – A New Painless and Scarless Solution to an Old Problem Atrial Myxoma is arguably the most common primary cardiac tumor. In adults, 50% of all benign tumors are Atrial Myxoma. Surgeons treat a number of these lesions because of their frequency in the population. The potential for a permanent cure after resection is very high. New minimally invasive atrial myxoma surgeries are now available in specialized centers. Atrial myxomas arise in the atrial chambers of the heart and tend to be friable and gelatinous. Their presence inside the heart can cause several symptoms. Our clinic specializes in a minimally invasive approach to curing our patients and restoring a great quality of life! Read the full article here >>... by DrCiuffo | Nov 3, 2014 | Articles
How to Find the Best Heart Valve Surgeon to Treat Aortic Stenosis or Aortic Insufficiency Patients may become faced with a diagnosis of severe aortic valve disease, it can be difficult to sort out the best options. It is often a highly emotional and confusing time. This article will guide patients through the steps for good information about the best aortic valve operation and finding the right heart surgeon to fit their needs. A few words about these aortic valve conditions: Aortic Stenosis means that the aortic valve is severely calcified and stiff. It cannot open wide when it is supposed to. A normal aortic valve has three flimsy and extremely pliable leaflets (cusps) that will open and allow unimpeded flow through a roughly circular cross-section with a diameter of about one inch. A severely stenotic valve only allows flow through a pinhole. That explains that hissing sound that doctors refer to as a “murmur”. The heart eventually tires out and immediate surgery is necessary before it gets to that point. Read the full article here... 
by DrCiuffo | Oct 21, 2014 | Articles, Heart Surgery, Minimally Invasive Aortic Valve Surgery
Minimally Invasive Aortic Valve Replacement Following Barbara Walters’ surgery to treat her aortic valve stenosis, Minimally Invasive Aortic Valve Replacement surgery became a more popular term. Her issue was caused by a very common and frequently mistreated heart valve disease in the elderly population of the United States. There is a bias against operating on elderly patients in this country which often denies life-saving procedures on otherwise functional and sharp minded senior citizens. Aortic valve stenosis is a deadly disease that requires immediate attention, and Dr. Giovanni Ciuffo has the experience, skill, and will to help families. What Is Aortic Stenosis? Aortic Stenosis is a condition that causes the aortic valve to be too narrow. This forces your heart to work extra hard to push adequate amounts of fresh oxygenated blood against a tight, barely opening valve. Mechanically speaking, a heart with aortic stenosis develops a much higher internal pressure to assure the same pumping action and output of a normal heart. The risks of this condition can be chest pain, lack of breath, troubled breathing, heart attack, stroke, and death. Why Choose Dr. Ciuffo? Dr. Ciuffo’s experienced staff, dedicated team, and professional surgical experience set him apart from the crowd. His experience with minimally invasive aortic valve replacement is profound. His focus is on skillful surgery, quick recovery, and patient health. The vast majority of our patients are ready to go home in two or three days with specific arrangements for a visiting nurse and physical therapy service. We would be delighted to answer your questions and receive your comments and suggestions. Contact us directly at the office to discuss any specific...
