Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery/Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (MICS CABG)

History of MICS CABG

The first minimally invasive cardiac surgery/coronary artery bypass grafting was performed on January 21, 2005, at what was then The Heart Institute of Staten Island by a highly trained team led by Dr. Joseph McGinn.

This technique, where proximal grafts were anastomosed to the mammary artery, was performed for two years with a favorable outcome. After taking this procedure to Japan and listening to feedback from his peers, Dr. McGinn felt the procedure could be improved. Today, surgeons can have direct visibility of the aorta through the window incision allowing for proximal anastomoses to be performed on the aorta.

Medtronic, Inc., in collaboration with Dr. McGinn, worked to develop the retractor known as the Thoratrak®, which is used in every minimally invasive cardiac bypass procedure. Today, they continue to work together to improve upon the instruments beneficial to performing MICS CABG.