Over the past 20 years, a sternotomy (key hole) has been the most common surgical approach for patients presenting with deterioration of their heart valve over time. Typically, the deterioration is identified during an echocardiogram. Patients present with shortness of breath, tiredness and/or swelling of their legs.
The tricuspid valve is often referred to as the 'forgotten valve' by both cardiologists and cardiac surgeons. However, as more research is being completed, there is now increased awareness of the importance of early intervention to treat any difficulties with this valve. Mr Zacharias and his team have the largest experience of endoscopic tricuspid valve repair or replacement and have presented and published their results on this topic.
Traditional mitral valve surgery is performed through a long incision down the midline (sternotomy) which has served the speciality well over the past 50 years. Over the last 15 years, an increasing number of surgeons have moved to minimally invasive (key hole / endoscopic), non sternotomy incisions to approach the heart valves. Two teams, one in Aalst led by Hugo Vanerman and another in Leipzig by Fred Mohr, popularised and trained many young surgeons to do these procedures safely without a sternotomy. Mr Zacharias was fortunate to spend time as a fellow in Aalst where he was taught the
Mr Joseph Zacharias is a Consultant Cardio-Thoracic Surgeon who over the past 18 years has introduced many patient centred procedures and reviewed, presented and published his excellent results. He is passionate about teaching and training and continues to help disseminate his learning and skills to doctors at all levels of training. Mr Zacharias has one of the largest experiences in endoscopic heart surgery in the UK and continues to maintain a busy practice in both complex heart and lung surgery.
Alexandra Hospital Mill Lane, Cheadle, Manchester
0161 495 7008
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