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July 20, 2023

Cardiac surgery team performs unique heart bypass procedure surgery, a first in Alberta

Daniel Holloway and team continue to bring new techniques to province, including minimally invasive cardiac surgery
Patient Chris Kennedy and surgeon Daniel Holloway.
Patient Chris Kennedy and surgeon Daniel Holloway.. Daniel Holloway

Members of Calgary鈥檚 minimally invasive cardiac surgery team have another technique to help them deliver world-class cardiovascular care.

The team recently completed the first minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) surgery at Foothills Medical Centre in Alberta. Dr. Daniel Holloway, MD, was the lead surgeon for the procedure.聽

The delicate surgery required Holloway to graft a blood vessel onto the heart to create a new path for blood to flow around a blocked artery 鈥斅燼ll while the patient鈥檚 heart was still beating.

鈥淭raditionally, bypass surgery has been through full sternotomy with the need for the patient to be on a heart and lung machine,鈥 says Holloway, a clinical associate professor in the Department of Cardiac Sciences at the Cumming School of Medicine. 鈥淣ow we have a minimally invasive option for certain patients. It鈥檚 very satisfying.鈥

Daniel Holloway

Daniel Holloway.

Libin Cardiovascular Institute

Historically, bypass surgery was done through open-heart surgery, called a sternotomy, and required the breastbone to be cut and opened so surgeons could access the heart. The heart was also stopped and a heart and lung bypass machine, which takes over the job of the heart and lungs, used to oxygenate and pump the blood around the body during surgery.

Calgary鈥檚 Chris Kennedy, 40, was among the first patients in Alberta to benefit from the minimally invasive option.

His heart problems began in August 2022 when he started having symptoms like nausea, jaw and arm pain and breathing difficulties while on a work trip. Although he was very uncomfortable, Kennedy decided to take some antacids and went about his day.聽

Several weeks later, the symptoms hadn鈥檛 stopped, and a friend finally convinced Kennedy to schedule an appointment with his physician. After several tests, Kennedy got some life-changing news.

鈥淚 was told I had a pretty significant blockage in my heart, and that I would require surgery,鈥 says Kennedy.

He was shocked.

Chris Noss

Chris Noss.

Chris Noss

鈥淎t 40, and being healthy, you don鈥檛 expect to have heart problems,鈥 says Kennedy. 鈥淚 have no family history of heart disease, I don鈥檛 have diabetes, and I have never smoked.鈥

Several months later, Kennedy underwent the MIDCAB single bypass surgery. He was happy to have the new procedure as it cut down significantly on his recovery time when compared to the traditional open-heart operation.

鈥淚 received fantastic care,鈥 says Kennedy. 鈥淭hree days after the surgery, I had regained a lot of my mobility, and I was able to drive just 10 days after my surgery and returned to work.鈥

Holloway confirms recovery time is quicker with MIDCAB.. The procedure may also result in fewer complications since it is done on a beating heart with no need for a heart-lung bypass machine.

So far six patients have undergone the surgery since January 2023.

Holloway and his colleague, Ganesh聽Shanmugam, received MIDCAB training at Peter Munk Cardiac Centre at the Toronto General Hospital with Dr. Piroze Davierwala. Holloway says funding and leadership support from the Libin Cardiovascular Institute allowed for the clinical innovation.

鈥淭his has been a massive team effort,鈥 says Holloway. 鈥淣ot only did we have support from our leadership, but we also collaborated with our cardiac anesthesia group. Nursing, cardiology and surgical staff also played a big role.鈥

Daniel Holloway and Calgary鈥檚 newest cardiac surgeon, Holly Smith.

Daniel Holloway and Calgary鈥檚 newest cardiac surgeon, Holly Smith.

Daniel Holloway

Cardiac anesthesiologists Dr. Christopher Noss, MD, and Dr. Douglas Seal, MD, also received training. The MIDCAB procedure requires specialized anesthetic techniques, including lung isolation or one lung ventilation; blood pressure and heart rate manipulation; and pain control including specialized nerve block techniques.

Noss is pleased to have taken part in Alberta鈥檚 first MIDCAB surgery and is confident the program will continue to grow.聽

鈥淚t鈥檚 rewarding to be part of an innovative team and to be pushing things forward,鈥 says Noss. 鈥淭his is a procedure that adds to our minimally invasive and , it is safe and improves the quality of our patient鈥檚 recovery. It鈥檚 exciting to see that we are making a difference for patients.鈥

Both Noss and Holloway are excited about the future of Calgary鈥檚 minimally invasive cardiac surgery program.

鈥淭his is a great place to work,鈥 says Holloway. 鈥淲e have an environment of collegiality and there is a desire and support for innovation and progression. It鈥檚 amazing to be able to provide the best possible care for our patients.鈥

Daniel Holloway is a clinical associate professor in the Department of Cardiac Sciences at the Cumming School of Medicine (CSM) and a member of the Libin Cardiovascular Institute at the CSM.

Christopher Noss is a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Medicine at the Cumming School of Medicine (CSM) and a member of the Libin Cardiovascular Institute at the CSM.


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