1. Angioplasty is a minimally invasive procedure used to open blocked or narrowed coronary arteries which supply blood to the heart. A small balloon is inserted through a thin tube (catheter) into the affected artery and inflated to push the plaque against the artery wall, improving blood flow. This procedure helps reduce chest pain and prevent heart attacks.

1. Often performed during angioplasty, stenting involves placing a small, expandable mesh tube (stent) in the artery to keep it open. Stents help maintain better blood flow and prevent re-narrowing of the artery, significantly reducing the risk of future blockages.

1. Some coronary artery blockages are more challenging to treat due to their location or severity. Complex coronary procedures involve advanced techniques and specialized equipment to clear coronary blockages in difficult-to-reach or highly obstructed arteries. This includes chronic total occlusions (CTOs), where the artery is completely blocked for an extended period. These procedures use advanced catheter-based tools, specialized guide wires, and imaging technology to visualise and clear blockages. Techniques like rotational atherectomy (rotablation) may be employed to break down calcified plaques. These procedures are often necessary for patients with multiple blockages, significant calcification, or previous failed interventions.

1. Valve repair procedures are tailored to fix specific issues with heart valves without replacing them. Repairing valves can improve heart function, reduce symptoms, and often provide a longer-lasting solution than valve replacement. These type of procedures include:

• TAVR/TAVI (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement/Implantation): TAVR is a minimally invasive procedure to replace a damaged aortic valve without open-heart surgery. Using a catheter, a new valve is placed inside the diseased valve. This approach is ideal for patients who may be at high risk for traditional surgery, offering a quicker recovery.
• MitraClip Procedure: This minimally invasive procedure treats mitral valve regurgitation (a condition where blood leaks backward into the heart). A small clip is attached to the mitral valve to help it close more effectively, improving blood flow and reducing symptoms like fatigue and shortness of breath.

Balloon valvuloplasty treats narrowed heart valves by using a small balloon attached to a catheter. The balloon is inserted into the narrowed valve and then gently inflated, which widens the valve opening and improves blood flow, relieving symptoms and enhancing heart function.

LAAC is a procedure to reduce the risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib), a common heart rhythm disorder. It involves closing a small, pouch-like structure in the heart (left atrial appendage) where blood clots may form, significantly lowering stroke risk for AFib patients.

PFO closure is a minimally invasive procedure used to close a small hole between the upper chambers of the heart. This hole, which normally closes at birth, sometimes remains open and can increase the risk of stroke. By closing the PFO, patients reduce the risk of stroke and other complications.

This specialized procedure addresses leaks around artificial heart valves that may have been implanted in previous surgeries. Using a catheter, doctors seal the leak without needing to perform open-heart surgery again. This helps improve valve function and reduces symptoms, enhancing the patient's quality of life.

 ASD closure is a minimally invasive procedure that repairs holes between the upper chambers of the heart. Using specialized devices, doctors can close these holes through a catheter, reducing the need for open surgery and promoting faster recovery.

In this minimally invasive procedure, doctors use heat (radiofrequency energy) or extreme cold to carefully destroy small areas of heart tissue causing irregular heartbeats. By targeting these specific areas, catheter ablation helps correct various types of arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms) and restores a normal heartbeat.

An ICD is a small, life-saving device implanted under the skin. It continuously monitors heart rhythm and delivers an electric shock if it detects a dangerous, life-threatening rhythm. This shock restores a normal heartbeat and helps prevent sudden cardiac death in high-risk patients.

A pacemaker is a small electronic device implanted to help in cases of  slow heartbeats. It sends electrical signals to prompt the heart to beat at a normal rate, helping patients with bradycardia (slow heart rhythms).

CRT is an advanced type of pacemaker therapy that coordinates the pumping of both lower chambers of the heart (ventricles). This synchronization helps the heart pump blood more efficiently, especially in patients with heart failure and electrical timing issues.

A loop recorder is a small device placed just under the skin to continuously monitor and record heart rhythms for up to three years. It’s useful for diagnosing unexplained fainting or palpitations, as it tracks irregular heartbeats over long periods.

CABG is a surgery that creates a new route for blood to flow around blocked coronary arteries in the heart. To do this, doctors use a healthy blood vessel from another part of the body (like the leg or chest) and connect it to the blocked heart artery, allowing blood to bypass the blockage. This reduces chest pain, improves heart function, and lowers the risk of a heart attack.

• Traditional CABG: The most common form of bypass surgery, where surgeons use healthy blood vessels to bypass blockages. It effectively relieves symptoms and reduces the risk of heart attacks.
• Off-Pump Surgery (Beating-Heart Surgery): In this type, the surgery is done while the heart is still beating, which helps certain patients avoid complications from stopping the heart.
• Minimally Invasive Options: This approach uses smaller cuts instead of opening the chest fully. It allows for quicker recovery and fewer complications.
• Robotic-Assisted Procedures: Surgeons use robotic arms to perform the bypass through very small cuts. This precise method reduces pain and speeds up recovery.

• Valve Repair and Replacement: Heart valves help control blood flow through the heart, and when they are  damaged, blood flow is affected. Surgeons can either repair the valve to make it work better or replace it with an artificial or biological valve. This surgery helps improve blood flow, relieves symptoms, and can prevent serious complications like heart failure.
• Minimally Invasive Approaches: Some valve surgeries can be done using small cuts instead of a large chest incision. This approach reduces pain, scarring, and recovery time, allowing patients to heal faster.
• Complex Valve Reconstructions: For severely damaged or unusually shaped valves, surgeons use advanced techniques to repair the valve while keeping as much of the patient’s natural tissue as possible. They may adjust the valve’s leaflets (flaps that open and close) and supporting cords to restore its normal function.

Multiple Valve Procedures: If a patient has problems with more than one valve, surgeons can repair or replace multiple valves during the same surgery. This helps restore healthy blood flow and heart function in one operation.

The aortic root is the part of the aorta (the main artery) closest to the heart. In this surgery, doctors repair or replace this section, including the aortic valve and nearby coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart muscle. This procedure is often done to treat an aortic aneurysm (a weak spot in the artery) or genetic conditions like Marfan syndrome that affect the aorta. 

In this complex surgery, doctors treat both blocked coronary arteries (which supply blood to the heart) and damaged heart valves in one operation. Combining both procedures improves blood flow and heart function while reducing the need for multiple surgeries, making it easier on the patient.

Redo cardiac surgery is performed on patients who have had heart surgery before. It requires special skills because the surgeon needs to work through scar tissue from the previous procedure. This operation allows doctors to make necessary repairs or replacements, giving the heart a better chance to function well and relieving symptoms for the patient.

The mitral valve is one of the four valves in the heart, and it controls blood flow between the two  chambers on the left side (the left atrium and the left ventricle). Sometimes, this valve may not close properly, leading to blood leaking backward—a condition called Mitral regurgitation—or it may become stiff and narrow a condition called Mitral stenosis , which restricts blood flow. Mitral valve repair and replacement are procedures that fix these issues:

• Repair involves techniques to fix the patient’s existing valve. This can include reshaping the valve, reinforcing it with a ring, or fixing the supportive tissues around it.
• Replacement involves removing the damaged valve and replacing it with an artificial valve made of metal or animal tissue.

With minimally invasive techniques, these surgeries are done through small cuts in the chest rather than the large incision of traditional open-heart surgery. This allows faster recovery, less pain, and a shorter hospital stay.

The aortic valve controls blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body. When this valve is damaged, it can lead to aortic stenosis (a narrowed valve that restricts blood flow) or aortic regurgitation (a valve that doesn’t close fully, causing blood to leak back into the heart).

In aortic valve replacement:

• The damaged aortic valve is removed and replaced with a new valve. This replacement valve may be made from materials like metal or tissue from animals.
• Small incisions are used to access the heart, and advanced tools and imaging help guide the surgeon for precise valve placement.

By using minimally invasive techniques, recovery times are shorter, and the patient can resume normal activities sooner.

The tricuspid valve regulates blood flow between the right atrium and the right ventricle, the chambers on the right side of the heart. When this valve is damaged, it can lead to problems like tricuspid regurgitation (leakage of blood backward) or tricuspid stenosis (narrowing of the valve).

Tricuspid valve repair and replacement can be done using minimally invasive techniques:

• Repair involves tightening or reshaping the valve or reinforcing it to close more tightly and prevent leaks.
• Replacement is considered if repair isn’t possible. The damaged valve is removed, and a new valve is placed to restore proper blood flow.

These procedures are done with small incisions and special tools that limit damage to surrounding tissue, making recovery quicker and less painful.

Some patients may have problems with more than one heart valve, such as both the mitral and aortic valves. When two or more valves are damaged, it can affect the heart’s ability to pump blood efficiently.

Multiple valve surgeries allow doctors to repair or replace multiple valves in a single procedure, which can restore normal blood flow and improve heart function. With minimally invasive techniques, surgeons make small cuts in the chest rather than a large incision, reducing recovery time and lessening pain. This approach allows patients to heal faster while still receiving comprehensive treatment for multiple valve issues.

The aortic root is the part of the aorta closest to the heart, where the aortic valve and coronary arteries are attached. When this area is damaged or weakened, such as by an aneurysm (a bulging, weakened area in the artery), it often needs repair to prevent serious complications. In valve-sparing aortic root procedures, surgeons repair the aortic root without removing the natural aortic valve. This approach preserves the patient’s original valve, which often works better than an artificial replacement and reduces the need for blood-thinning medications.Using small incisions and specialized tools, this minimally invasive technique allows for quicker healing and a faster return to normal activities for patients who are suitable candidates.