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... by DrCiuffo | Nov 14, 2014 | Blog, Bloodless Heart Surgery, Jehovah Witnesses
Dr. Ciuffo and the Aultman Heart Surgery Center respect all religious beliefs all over the world and understand that sometimes life-saving surgery can conflict with certain religious ideologies. Dr. Ciuffo specializes in minimally invasive heart surgery that can be adjusted to come to a bloodless procedure in line with the religious specifications of Jehovah Witnesses, whose Old and New Testaments commands Jehovah Witnesses do not accept blood. About Aultman Heart Surgery Center & Dr. Ciuffo The Aultman Heart Surgery Center specializes in all types of heart surgery, and Dr. Ciuffo joined them to provide minimally invasive, bloodless heart surgery techniques. These minimally invasive surgical techniques minimize the loss of blood during surgery which eliminates the need for blood transfusions, which is why Jehovah Witnesses are some of his most common patients. Bloodless Surgery For Jehovah Witnesses The minimally invasive and bloodless heart surgery is performed through a small incision on the side, and Dr. Ciuffo use of a combination of blood-saving techniques eliminates the need for transfusions, totally in line with Jehovah Witness beliefs. Many of Dr. Ciuffo’s patients are Jehovah Witnesses, read all the testimonials on his patient stories now. Bloodless heart surgery patient, Nancy K. states: “I wanted the best medical care available but as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses I also wanted No Blood. I was aware of medical and surgical alternatives to blood transfusion such as the use of cell saver pumps and other medical treatments to boost my own hemoglobin level prior to surgery. When Dr. Giovanni B. Ciuffo’s name was given to me by the Jehovah’s Witnesses Hospital Liaison Committee I was eager to interview him! Not only did he respect my patient’s... 
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... by DrCiuffo | Sep 14, 2014 | Blog, Bloodless Heart Surgery, Heart Surgery
Why Bloodless Heart Surgery Bloodless Heart Surgery is one of the most important aspects of the techniques developed for cardiovascular minimally invasive heart surgery patients. There are many reasons why cardiovascular patients choose bloodless heart surgery, including: due religious beliefs (typically Jehovah’s Witnesses) concern over HIV/AIDs, hepatitis, and other blood-borne viruses to avoid allergic reactions to avoid inflammatory reactions to keep the immune system strong By using the bloodless techniques (including minimally invasive heart surgery), patients can avoid the risks outlined above and maintain their immune systems level of strength. 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. Bloodless Preparation and Technique Preparation is extremely important prior to bloodless heart surgery. We will work together to adjust medications to boost a patient’s red blood cell creation and investigate any spontaneous bleeding. A surgical strategy is meticulously planned to minimize the risk of bleeding during the surgery. During surgery, blood-sparing techniques and technologies are employed and modified based on the surgical strategy developed prior to surgery, as well as the patient’s beliefs and preferences. Minimally invasive cardiac surgery techniques avoid breast bone cutting which increases the chances of post-operative bleeding. To learn more about the specific techniques including using the extracorporeal circulation technique, beating heart technique, and blood salvage, visit our detailed Bloodless Heart Surgery page. After surgery, blood loss continues to be minimized and intensive care protocols are implemented to manage anemia. Learn More To learn more about the motivation and benefits behind...
