by DrCiuffo | Oct 12, 2015 | Advanced Heart Surgery, Benefits of Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery, Blog, Bloodless Heart Surgery
There are many benefits to minimally invasive heart surgery, including shorter recovery time, a lower risk of infection, reduced trauma, reduced pain, almost invisible scars, and less blood loss. There are methods so advanced, that we can eliminate the need for blood transfusions. For people with concerns over blood transfusions, such as Jehovah’s Witnesses, this is potentially life-saving! Dr. Ciuffo is the Director of the Minimally Invasive and Bloodless Heart Surgery program at Mercy Medical Center, so you know that you will be in the absolute best hands with him. Blood Saving Techniques To minimize blood loss, Dr. Ciuffo employs special techniques. These techniques reduce the risk of excessive bleeding during surgery and post-operatively. Surgery is performed through a tiny 2″ incision in the side Use of the heart-lung machine to keep the entire blood volume in circulation Use of beating heart surgery when necessary Use of cell saver/blood salvage machine Removing some of the patient’s blood before surgery and stored until after surgery* Careful cell recycling of blood that is transferred to surgical gauze sponges Controlled surface bleeding with topical hemostatic agents Dilution of blood volume with a saline solution The patient kept with low blood pressure through surgery Intra-operative electro-cautery or argon beam blood vessel coagulation *This method is not used for Jehovah’s Witnesses as blood needs to be stored Schedule A Consultation With Dr. Ciuffo If you or someone who love is in need of heart surgery and considering our low-impact, soft touch approach, get in touch with Dr. Ciuffo today. Our team of experts can help you understand the benefits (and the risks) associated with this surgery... by DrCiuffo | Sep 11, 2015 | Blog, Bloodless Heart Surgery, Jehovah's Witness, Recovery
Dr. Giovanni Ciuffo began providing bloodless heart surgery to patients for Jehovah’s Witnesses. Jehovah’s Witnesses must abstain from blood transfusions, according to their bible. Now, many more people are interested in bloodless surgery because of its many benefits. Without undergoing a blood transfusion during your surgery, you can be protected from many things — resulting in a quicker and easier recovery. No Blood Transfusions = Better Recovery Bloodless surgery not only helps meet the religious needs of Jehovah’s Witnesses but also provides multiple specific health benefits. A Strong Immune System During your recovery after traditional surgery with a blood transfusion, your immune system becomes weak and less reactive, making it harder to fight infections. Bloodless heart surgery keeps your immune system strong during your recovery. No Allergic Reactions Blood transfusions cause serious effects on our body and our immune system. Sometimes the effects can manifest as severe allergic reactions. By avoiding a transfusion, patients also avoid allergic reactions that can slow down recovery and cause other problems in the body. No Inflammatory Response Some patients see an accumulation of inflammatory fluids in various organs (lungs, kidneys, muscles) and soft tissues after a transfusion. This inflammatory response effectively slows down the recovery period after traditional heart surgery. This does not happen with bloodless patients. Avoid Blood-Borne Viruses While this is not much of a concern with modern blood screening methods, some patients feel more comfortable without the need to worry about blood borne viruses, like HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, and others. Request A Consultation With Dr. Ciuffo Learn about one of our bloodless heart surgery patients who traveled from Australia to receive this specialty from Dr. Ciuffo.... by DrCiuffo | Aug 14, 2015 | Blog, Bloodless Heart Surgery
Advanced heart surgery can be a life-saving procedure for many individuals. For patients with religious restrictions and other health concerns when it comes to accepting blood transfusions, advanced surgery may not be an options. Fortunately, Dr. Giovanni Ciuffo has developed his minimally invasive techniques for bloodless cardiac surgery. Patients who do not wish or cannot to receive blood transfusions do have options! Bloodless Cardiac Surgery Bloodless surgery is possible by following strict techniques: Careful preparation of each patient – Dr. Ciuffo and his team investigates any medications and other factors that could cause bleeding, then minimizes those factors to reduce the risk. Precise and meticulous technique during surgery – Using cell and blood saving techniques, along with the minimally invasive methods reduce the risk of bleeding and allow for a bloodless surgery. Thorough postoperative follow-up – Patients are closely monitored and given different medications to ensure the return to normal hemoglobin levels quickly. Only very small blood samples are taken for testing. Benefits of Bloodless Cardiac Surgery There are many benefits to bloodless surgery, which is why many patients, regardless of their religious affiliation are choosing it. Bloodless surgery results in the avoidance of potential side effects and complications related to blood transfusions. Follow religious beliefs (typically Jehovah’s Witnesses) Reduce risk of HIV/AIDs, hepatitis, and other blood-borne viruses Avoid allergic reactions Avoid inflammatory reactions Keep immune system strong Recent health studies have confirmed that patients who did not receive a blood transfusion at the time of surgery have better postoperative longevity. Our efforts to pursue bloodless techniques help our patients lengthen and improve their life. Get A Second Opinion If... by DrCiuffo | Dec 19, 2014 | Blog, Bloodless Heart Surgery, Dr. Giovanni B Ciuffo, Heart Surgery, Inoperable Heart Surgery Patients, Jehovah Witnesses, Jehovah's Witness
After being diagnosed with a rare, considered inoperable, tumor in the left ventricle of her heart and given only a few months to live, 26-year old Australian Madalyn Copcutt was not ready to give up on her life. Her tumor was considered inoperable because of her status as a Jehovah’s Witnesses and she would not be able to accept blood transfusions. The newlywed traveled over 11,000 miles to see expert cardiac surgeon, Dr. Giovanni Ciuffo at the Mercy Cardiovascular Institute (MCI) who is the Medical Director of Mercy’s Minimally Invasive and Bloodless Heart Surgery program. Even after all surgeons in Perth concluded that her surgery would not be possible, Dr. Ciuffo performed the bloodless heart surgery on October 31 at Mercy Medical Center and Madalyn was discharged on November 3, with all positive results indicating the tumor removal was successful. Read more about Madalyn’s surgery at the Mercy Medical Center in the Akron Beacon Journal and on Mercy’s own blog. Dr. Ciuffo’s Mission For Bloodless Surgery Dr. Ciuffo has stated that he’s “made it his mission to do bloodless surgery,” citing that his experience shows patients who do not take blood transfusions live longer and do better than traditional heart surgery patients. Dr. Ciuffo’s complex cardiothoracic experience ranges 15 years with operations for over 500 Jehovah’s Witnesses and hundreds of patients from all over the world. Contact Dr. Ciuffo For Bloodless Inquiries If you are a Jehovah’s Witnesses looking for bloodless surgery, or anyone with an interest in the minimally invasive and bloodless techniques Dr. Ciuffo employs, please call his office (330) 363-1341 at or contact him... by DrCiuffo | Dec 5, 2014 | Blog, Bloodless Heart Surgery, Heart Surgery, Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery
Last week, the headlines were full of speculations about Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s health and her heart surgery procedure that she underwent to put a stent in her right coronary artery at the MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute in D.C. Heart Surgery For Justice Ginsburg While Justice Ginsburg has been dealing with speculation about her health and age for many years after fighting cancer and the media, there is no doubt that she is an active, robust 81-year old! Some older or unhealthy (i.e. cancer diagnosis, other health issues) individuals are labeled “high-risk” or “inoperable” cardiovascular patients because of the issues related to traditional heart surgery, including broken ribs, slow recovery time, and healing problems. Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery Dr. Ciuffo’s techniques help make life-saving heart surgery available to all people, no matter their age or health. Minimally invasive and bloodless surgery techniques are great options for cardiovascular patients who need to take more caution when undertaking any surgical experience. Minimally invasive techniques eliminate the need to make giant incisions along a patients chest and break the ribs and sternum, reducing the need for long, agonizing recovery times. Typically, minimally invasive patients can return to normal activity in a matter of days. Blood saving heart surgery techniques minimize the need for blood transfusions which can cause allergic reactions and also slow healing times for patients. Bloodless surgery is also the surgery of choice for Jehovah Witnesses, who cannot accept blood transfusions due to their religious beliefs. Request A Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery Consultation Today If you’re interested in receiving a cardiovascular consultation, because of a “high-risk” or “inoperable” original diagnosis, or... by DrCiuffo | Nov 21, 2014 | Blog, Bloodless Heart Surgery, Jehovah Witnesses
Dr. Ciuffo has always been interested in the development and enhancement of the best, low-impact, minimally invasive heart surgery techniques available so that I can offer all of my patients the best options. As bloodless heart surgery techniques become more widely accepted it is an important aspect of the care of all cardiovascular patients. Dr. Ciuffo began employing these techniques in the late 90′s to comply with the religious beliefs of the Jehovah Witness congregations. The science behind bloodless heart surgery has made impressive progress over the last decade and it is now possible to offer this option routinely in the vast majority of our patients. Jehovah Witnesses cannot take blood transfusions due to their religious beliefs, but now more people are seeing the importance of reducing the need for blood transfusions for other health reasons. Learn more about the specific techniques on our main bloodless heart surgery page. Reasons For Bloodless Heart Surgery Religious Beliefs (such as Jehovah Witnesses) Eliminate The Risk Of Infection Avoid Allergic Reactions Faster Recovery Time Keep Immune System Strong A Note From Dr. Ciuffo About Bloodless Heart Surgery For Jehovah Witnesses “Witnesses embrace and are comfortable with all aspects of modern medicine but their refusal to receive a blood transfusion is not negotiable. Unfortunately, many physicians cannot offer proper care because they have a hard time understanding and respecting these beliefs. Sometimes a finer distinction is made between refusing Packed Red Blood Cells and accepting some of the other blood fractions (i.e.: Fresh Frozen Plasma, Platelets, Cryoprecipitate) on an individual basis, as a matter of personal conscience. The aversion to receiving blood transfusions stems from the interpretation of a specific passage in the Bible that states...
