Sasha Still, M.D., an assistant professor of the UAB Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, was recently featured on UAB's MedCast Podcast.

During the episode, Still discusses the unique procedure of minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting (MIDCAB). This innovative approach entails robotic harvest of the internal mammary artery and minimally invasive off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

About MIDCAB

Still mentions that the MIDCAB procedure, similar to traditional CABG, restores blood flow past the area of coronary artery blockage. Still discusses that in this procedure, the left internal mammary artery (LIMA) is robotically harvested and then used to bypass the LAD through a 4-5cm incision.

She notes that her robotic CABG practice at UAB focuses on selecting the correct patient population for this procedure to ensure the best possible outcomes for prolonged patient quality of life.

Candidates have no prior chest surgery, multivessel/diffuse coronary disease, good target vessel and conduit,  and have the appropriate chest wall size to facilitate a minimally invasive approach. 

Why should patients choose UAB?

UAB is home to one of the largest beating-heart coronary bypass programs in the United States and beyond. Still claims UAB's unique advantage lies in the extensive experience in off-pump CABG procedures, where surgeons avoid connecting the heart to an external heart-lung machine.

This less-invasive surgical revascularization method usually results in reduced blood loss, shorter hospital stays, and fewer transfusions.

To listen to the full episode, visit the UAB MedCast website.