Minimally Invasive & Robotic Surgery Program

Montefiore Einstein Center for Heart and Vascular Care is a leader in the field of robotic and minimally invasive cardiothoracic surgery, continuously developing new methods and techniques. Our surgeons were pioneers in the development of these procedures and participated in fundamental clinical trials that led to the wide variety of minimally invasive cardiac procedures that are performed at Montefiore Einstein today. Robert E. Michler, MD, Chairman of Montefiore-Einstein Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, was among the first surgeons in the United States to perform minimally invasive robotic heart surgery. Dr. Michler's work with robotics expedited FDA approval of robotic heart surgery for mitral valve repair and coronary artery bypass. Few surgeons have practiced robotic surgery longer. Our renowned interdisciplinary team offers a range of treatment options for all forms of cardiac conditions, depending upon the type and severity of disease. We’re ranked in the top 1% of all hospitals in the nation for Cardiology, Heart & Vascular Surgery according to U.S. News & World Report.

Minimally invasive heart surgery involves making small incisions in the chest, thereby avoiding the conventional incision used in traditional open-heart surgery. The advantages of minimally invasive heart surgery include decreased blood loss, decreased risk of infection, less pain and need for postoperative narcotics, smaller scars, shorter hospital stays and quicker return to normal activity. Minimally invasive heart surgery is also frequently performed in higher risk patients that cannot undergo conventional heart surgery. At the Montefiore Einstein Center for Heart and Vascular Surgery, we offer the following advanced treatments, using the latest minimally invasive techniques available today:

• Minimally Invasive Aortic Valve Replacement
• Robotic Atrial Septal Defect Closure
• Robotic Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
• Robotic Placement of LV Leads for Biventricular Pacing
• Thoracoscopic Mitral Valve Surgery 
• Thoracoscopic Resection of Cardiac Tumors
• Thoracoscopic Tricuspid Valve Surgery