Current surgical risk scores overestimate risk in mini-AVR procedures
Minimally invasive aortic valve replacement surgery is a safer procedure than indicated by current surgical risk scores, according to Joseph Lamelas, M.D., chief and program director of cardiothoracic surgery at the University of Miami Health System.
Surgical risk scores are designed to help physicians and patients evaluate their options. However, they overestimate the risk for minimally invasive aortic valve replacement (mini-AVR) procedures through a mini thoracotomy, which can provide better outcomes and faster recoveries than open-heart surgeries through the sternum.
Dr. Joseph Lamelas, University of Miami Health System
After analyzing 1,018 low-risk patients undergoing surgery for aortic stenosis, Dr. Lamelas and his collaborative research team looked at the four available risk scoring systems: Society of Thoracic Surgeons Predicted Risk of Mortality (STS-PROM), European System for Cardiac Operative Risk