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Local Teacher and Musician Undergoes Robotically

Assisted Mitral Valve Repair Surgery

Cleveland Clinic Weston Offers Minimally Invasive Approach New to South Florida Region

When Joe Santoro, 57, endoscopic, closed chest structed, 3D view provided by a high- only center that offers robotically assisted
began experiencing short- approach that repairs power camera and combined with a later- mitral valve repair.
ness of breath and difficulty heart valves that are al thoracic approach gives the surgeon a As heart disease remains the leading
maintaining normal activity, working incorrectly, clear view into not only the mitral valve, cause of death for men, women, and peo-
he knew something was often caused by valve but leaflets and sub-valvular structures, as ple of most racial and ethnic groups in the
wrong and pursued medical stenosis (stiff, fused, well. United States, according to the Centers for
advice. After having already inflexible leaflets, limit- The surgeon uses the robot’s thin arms Disease Control and Prevention, it is
been diagnosed with mitral ing flow of blood) or to mirror his own arm and wrist move- imperative that the public is aware of and
valve disease eight years ago, valve regurgitation ments, carefully controlling the movement takes the risk of heart disease seriously.
he was informed he had atri- (leaky heart valve, which and placement of operating instruments to Treatment for heart disease is based on a
al fibrillation and would occurs when the leaflets make incisions no larger than two inches series of diagnostic tests that can deter-
need to undergo traditional do not close completely). that are much more precise and smaller, mine whether an individual is an ideal
heart surgery. Dr. Jose Navia “A robotically-assisted with less pain and less trauma for a shorter candidate for robotically assisted heart
Traditional heart surgery approach for valve hospital stay and overall faster healing valve surgery, which is dependent on the
typically involves a long and repair surgery is the ulti- process that requires fewer pain medica- type and severity of the individual’s heart
painful recovery due to the six- to eight- mate new use for technology,” Dr. Navia tions. This is largely attributed to the fact disease, age, medical history and lifestyle.
inch incision made through the middle of says. “This approach provides the patient that the breastbone does not need to be As with most other medical procedures,
the chest, through the breastbone, so with a better option to have a durable opened and the ribs do not have to be lifestyle changes are still strongly encour-
Santoro sought a second opinion from repair or replacement of the valve.” spread, in order to successfully perform aged to ensure continued cardiovascular
Dr. Jose Navia, Regional Director of the While traditional heart surgery is still the procedure even though the same steps health. These changes can include quitting
Cleveland Clinic Florida Heart, Vascular usually suggested for patients needing to as traditional heart surgery are performed, smoking, treating high cholesterol, man-
and Thoracic Institute and Minimally undergo complex aorta or multiple coro- including any repair techniques or valve aging blood pressure and diabetes, and
Invasive Valve Program. nary artery bypass procedures, reopera- replacements. participating in a cardiac rehabilitation
Santoro shares, “After seeing Dr. tions, and complicated heart surgeries, Other benefits of the robotically assist- program.
Navia, I knew there were more options.” robotically assisted minimally invasive ed, less invasive heart valve surgery With any surgical procedure, risks do
Instead of a traditional procedure, heart surgery is often recommended for include minimal scarring, less bleeding, exist, such as the age of the patient,
Santoro chose a robotically assisted those needing mitral or tricuspid valve decreased risk of infection, and no specific lifestyle habits, other preexisting medical
approach to his mitral valve repair sur- repair like Santoro, removal of cardiac activity restrictions post-surgery. Patients conditions, and the number of procedures
gery, as it is much less invasive and tumors, ablation of atrial fibrillation, like Santoro can often return to work with- performed in an operation. However, over-
would heal faster. Dr. Navia performed atrial septal defect repair, and patent in a few days or one week after the opera- all, this technology has forever changed
the operation using Cleveland Clinic foramen ovale repair. tion. the way heart surgery is performed, both
Weston’s state-of-the-art and FDA- During the minimally invasive proce- Santoro’s procedure was the fourth per- procedurally and with improved patient
approved robotic surgical system, allow- dure, a surgeon operates a robot from a formed by Cleveland Clinic Weston after outcomes.
ing the first-grade teacher and musician console in an operating room that pro- the Cardiac Robotic Program was
to return to normal activity within only vides a high definition and magnified launched in January of 2022. In South To learn more about Cleveland Clinic
three weeks. This operation involves an view of the patient’s valve. This unob- Florida, Cleveland Clinic Weston is the Florida, visit my.clevelandclinic.org/florida.

P.O. Box 19268 Plantation FL 33318
954-964-1660

A message from our President In the July 11 edition of “The Keckley Report,”
Paul talks about the American Hospital
Career Path Influences Outlook Association’s Leadership Summit (July 17-19) and
some of the ideas that he saw being discussed at
the event. You can reach out to find “The Keckley
Report” to read all of what he has to say. But there
My family and I moved down to South Florida in September of 1994 as my were one or two that I thought, if I were an early
career had taken a dramatic turn. Moving from a leadership role in what is now careerist, I would keep my eyes on.
known as the Florida Department of Health to working for a national private While there will always be a need for hospitals
ambulance company; the future was full of possibilities. to treat the sickest of the sick, research, financial
I even remember the impetus for this change. I attended an American pressure, and acceptability will drive where
Ambulance Association annual meeting in Orlando (I think at one of the SeaWorld much of healthcare will be delivered in the
hotels, maybe the Renaissance) and one of the speakers at that event looked into future. In Paul’s opinion, ““Transformation” will
their crystal ball and shared a list of ten future changes that would affect the ambu- Jaime Caldwell be a frequent theme: most hospitals recognize
lance industry. The presentation was eye-opening (mind opening) and from that their future is not a repeat of their past.” Paul
point, I wanted to be part of that change. talks about two plans of action. I guess one plan is the status quo where COOs and
I think back to those days and I remember the excitement and the conversations CFOs focus on the cost side of the equation. I was part of that and it always
that came from that presentation. Today, I look at headlines and the articles written reminded me of the process of hypovolemic shock. As the body loses fluid or
about healthcare and I get that same excitement. The big difference is that I am blood, the brain and the heart decide to pump faster to compensate. Without sig-
well along my career path, yet I am excited for those early careerists who can nificant intervention, the result is inevitable.
explore the many opportunities in healthcare. Paul argues that hospitals need to change their paradigm and this paradigm shift
As I have shared, I am an unrepentant fan of Paul Keckley’s writings. While we presumes, “a shift of care from facilities to homes and self-care devices. These pre-
don’t always totally agree, I think his “crystal ball” writings about, in particular, sume an orientation shift from patients to consumers. These presume interoper-
the future role of hospitals in healthcare, is very telling. Moreover, I couple that ability and data-driven decision-making by individuals in collaboration with their
with other notable presentations like one that Dr. Wael Barsoum, former head of coaches. These presume a bigger role of federal regulation and heightened trans-
Cleveland Clinic Florida, gave at the groundbreaking for their new tower in parency.”
Weston and many conversations that I have had with other local hospital leaders Early careerists take note, anticipate these changes, and plan your careers
and my sense is that the old hospital paradigm is in the midst of change. accordingly.

6 August 2022 southfloridahospitalnews.com South Florida Hospital News