Operations to replace or repair poorly functioning heart valves are common procedures that are performed in our country.

Cardio Thoracic Surgeon, Brian Hummel explains, "The old stethoscope is clearly one of the front line measures in determining valve disease, the noise patterns are different and that can be one of the first signs that there is a problem with the valve."

The number one reason for heart valve surgery here in Southwest Florida is due to the aging process. Symptoms can include shortness of breath, fluid retention and unexplained weight gain. If there's a problem with the aortic valve you may even have chest pain as Bonnie Culbreth experienced. "It really felt like the big elephant was standing on my chest. I just did not feel well."

Dr. Hummel says that if surgery is needed on one of your heart valves there can be two options: repairing the defective valve. or replacing it all together. "The aortic valve more often than not needs to be replaced. Its uncommon to be able to repair a good function of that valve. The mitral valve is the opposite, usually we can achieve a repair better."

Dr. Hummel also says that minimally invasive heart valve surgery involves new techniques that make smaller incisions and use new tools to repair or replace valves. "It tends to be an incision sparing procedure that allows us to do the same operation that we formally did by completely dividing the sternum or the breast bone of the patient."

There are a number of advantages to minimally invasive heart surgery, which can include fewer side effects associated with large incisions, a reduced stay in the hospital and patients are spared the large incisions and scars typically associated with open-heart surgery.

Not every patient qualifies for minimally invasive valve surgery-some are not candidates because they need surgery on more than one valve, they have clogged arteries or they are obese. Obesity is often a disqualifying factor for many minimally invasive procedures.