Cardiovascular Surgeon Performs Innovative, Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery

MAYWOOD, IL – In a remarkable advancement in cardiac care, Chirantan Mangukia, MD, of Loyola Medicine has successfully performed an innovative, minimally invasive triple vessel coronary artery bypass surgery. This procedure was performed for a patient with severe coronary artery disease whose father had endured a difficult recovery from an open procedure years earlier. Nationally, less than one percent of coronary bypass operations are done through a minimally invasive approach. Loyola University Medical Center offers innovative cardiac care, distinguishing itself as one of few Chicagoland area hospitals offering this advanced surgical option.

For Gary Ratkiewicz, like millions of other Americans, coronary artery disease posed a significant threat to his health, marked by a critical 90% blockage in his main artery alongside two additional blockages. Facing the prospect of traditional surgery, Ratkiewicz had deep reservations, fueled by his father's challenging recovery from a traditional open procedure.

"I watched my father go through a traditional coronary artery bypass surgery and I saw how it negatively impacted his life," said Ratkiewicz. "He had complications and it took him over a year to recover. I was determined not to go through that; I didn't want to be a burden to my family." After seeking an alternative to a traditional coronary bypass, research led him to Loyola Medicine. "I sent an email to Dr. Mangukia and God as my witness within 30 minutes he responded," said Ratkiewicz. "Within two days I went in for an appointment and three days after that, I was scheduled for a procedure."

Dr. Mangukia determined that due to Ratkiewicz's active nature and good health, he was a good candidate for a small incision bypass. Unlike traditional methods necessitating a 15-to 20-centimeter sternum-dividing incision, this innovative surgery required only a small seven to eight-centimeter incision on the left side of the patient's chest. This approach substantially reduces recovery times and minimizes the physical and psychological toll on the patient. The healing process for a traditional bypass procedure can take six to eight weeks for the bone to heal. "In the United States, heart attack remains a leading cause of mortality," said Dr. Mangukia. "And coronary artery bypass surgery adds many, many years to patients' lives."

Ratkiewicz's recovery story is nothing short of amazing. Less than 24 hours after surgery, he was jogging the cardiac intensive care unit halls – a testament to the procedure's efficacy. Discharged after three days in the hospital, he walked two miles that same week. He recovered so well that his friends did not believe he had cardiac surgery.

"He didn't just save my life. He gave me a high-quality life back. I talked to other people who have gone through the invasive procedure, and they lost quality of life. I not only regained full quality of life, but my life is better now than it was then."

Loyola is one of the pioneer hospitals offering this procedure in the Chicagoland area. Its heart and vascular program, one of Illinois' oldest, consistently outperforms national averages in patient outcomes. Among heart surgeries, Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) remains a common and critical procedure – one that Loyola Medicine continues to refine and improve, promising better, swifter, and less invasive treatments for patients across the region.

Watch Gary Ratkiewicz's story here:

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About Loyola Medicine 

 

Loyola Medicine, a member of Trinity Health, is a nationally ranked academic, quaternary care system based in Chicago's western suburbs. The three-hospital system includes Loyola University Medical Center (LUMC), Gottlieb Memorial Hospital, MacNeal Hospital, as well as convenient locations offering primary care, specialty care and immediate care services from nearly 2,000 physicians throughout Cook, Will and DuPage counties. LUMC is a 547-licensed-bed hospital in Maywood that includes the William G. and Mary A. Ryan Center for Heart & Vascular Medicine, the Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, the John L. Keeley, MD, Emergency Department, a Level 1 trauma center, Illinois's largest burn center, a certified comprehensive stroke center, transplant center and a children’s hospital. Having delivered compassionate care for over 50 years, Loyola also trains the next generation of caregivers through its academic affiliation with Loyola University Chicago’s Stritch School of Medicine and Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing. Established in 1961, Gottlieb Memorial Hospital is a 247-licensed-bed community hospital in Melrose Park that includes the Judd A. Weinberg Emergency Department, the Loyola Center for Metabolic Surgery and Bariatric Care, Loyola Cancer Care & Research at the Marjorie G. Weinberg Cancer Center, acute rehabilitation, a transitional care center, childcare center and fitness center. MacNeal Hospital is a 374-licensed-bed teaching hospital in Berwyn with advanced medical, surgical and psychiatric services and a 68-bed behavioral health program. 

 

For more information, visit loyolamedicine.org. You can also follow Loyola Medicine on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram or X (formerly known as Twitter). 

 

About Trinity Health 

 

Trinity Health is one of the largest not-for-profit, Catholic health care systems in the nation. It is a family of 121,000 colleagues and nearly 36,500 physicians and clinicians caring for diverse communities across 27 states. Nationally recognized for care and experience, the Trinity Health system includes 101 hospitals, 126 continuing care locations, the second largest PACE program in the country, 136 urgent care locations and many other health and well-being services. In fiscal year 2023, the Livonia, Michigan-based health system invested $1.5 billion in its communities in the form of charity care and other community benefit programs. For more information, visit us at www.trinity-health.org, or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X (formerly known as Twitter).