Minimally invasive heart bypass surgery matches traditional method, study finds
Minimally invasive heart bypass surgery is as safe as open-chest surgery It may reduce transfusions and speed recovery, with fewer breathing-machine hours
A Canadianled study published in The Lancet says a minimally invasive approach to heart bypass surgery is as safe as the standard openchest procedure and may help patients recover faster.
The randomized trial involved 170 patients in six countries, including Canada, between 2018 and 2024. Researchers found that people who had the less invasive operation needed fewer blood transfusions and spent less time on breathing machines, while pain and hospital stays were similar.
The study's lead author said the findings suggest the newer technique can work well in selected patients, though experts noted it will not be suitable for everyone and may require specialized surgical teams.