Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery in Colombia: Evolution and the Impact of International Training

Thirty-five Years of Heart Transplantation in Medellín: Colombia’s First Center for Cardiac Transplantation

“…7 The emerging nature of our country has led to many challenges: suboptimal care of potential recipients, regular adherence to therapy, socioeconomic difficulties during posttransplant followup, nonreturning patients and traumatic donor deaths have been significant factors influencing transplant survival in Colombia. [2][3][4][8][9][10][11] Many transplant recipients also refuse to live in more urban areas and prefer rural locations, challenging postoperative follow-up with delayed identification of complications, thus impeding prompt intervention. In addition, not all health insurance companies have complied in covering and supplying immunosuppressive drugs.…”

“…The high number of donor deaths caused by gunshot wounds and head trauma reflects unfortunate public health and safety issues endemic to our country while also affecting graft quality and thus recipient survival rates. [2][3][4][8][9][10][11] Despite the country's advances in cardiac surgery (robotics, minimally invasive techniques, and ECMO), the emerging structure of the country has made it challenging to respond to healthcare disparities and coverages. 3,4,[8][9][10][11] The Colombian national transplant network has, however, facilitated minimal waiting times, resulting in swift donor-to-recipient matching and transplantation.…”

“…[2][3][4][8][9][10][11] Despite the country's advances in cardiac surgery (robotics, minimally invasive techniques, and ECMO), the emerging structure of the country has made it challenging to respond to healthcare disparities and coverages. 3,4,[8][9][10][11] The Colombian national transplant network has, however, facilitated minimal waiting times, resulting in swift donor-to-recipient matching and transplantation. In turn, Colombian activities have resulted in an extremely low waiting list mortality.…”

Miniature Minimally Invasive Pulmonary Banding in Neonates (MINI-MICS): A Novel Technique

“…In 2014, minimally invasive approaches in pediatric patients began with atrial septal defect repairs and other minor procedures. 2 In 2020, we developed a minimally invasive approach to pulmonary artery banding using a small left minithoracotomy in high-risk neonates not considered candidates for the initial Norwood surgery. By avoiding the sternum, this technique is an ideal hybrid strategy as a bridging approach to the consequent Norwood surgery.…”

“…In Colombia, minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS) began formally in 2010, at the Cardio VID Clinic in Medellín, followed shortly by the Fundación Clínica Shaio in Bogota. [1][2][3] Due to the emerging nature of Colombia, certain developments in MICS have been challenging. Gradual developments in areas such as rhythm control surgery and robotic cardiac surgery have been possible.…”