Minimally invasive mitral valve replacement and multivessel coronary artery bypass through a limited right lateral thoracotomy using a balloon aortic cannula.

Mitral valve replacement and coronary artery bypass grafting were performed in an 80-year-old woman through an 8 cm lateral thoracotomy using central cannulation with a balloon aortic cannula. Visualization permitted the delivery of both retrograde and antegrade cardioplegia. This technique provides excellent exposure of the mitral valve and all coronary vessels and decreases the operative risks associated with a sternotomy.