Robot-Assisted Cardiac Surgery Results in Easier Recovery for Columbus Man

When Greg Knopf discovered a serious blockage to his heart, his cardiologist told him he needed open-heart surgery as soon as possible. Greg, a Columbus, Ohio, resident, asked if there were alternatives to major surgery and was told no. But he researched the topic and sought a second opinion with University Hospitals Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute, where he found a collaborative caregiver and an easier recovery.

In 2023, Greg was preparing to retire from his job and trying to use up some health benefits. As part of pursuing testing, he received his coronary artery calcium score which was concerning – over 900. This score is considered very high and placed Greg in a high-risk category to experience a heart attack or cardiovascular event within the next three to five years.

“I was active. I walked about 18,000 steps per day and I was totally asymptomatic,” Greg said. “I had no idea I had any heart problems until I got these test results.”

Greg put off further testing until the summer of 2025 when doctors discovered a 90 percent blockage to his heart.

“My doctor from Columbus really scared me,” he said. “They made me feel like I needed open heart surgery immediately. I asked if there were any minimally invasive options available to me and I was told no one in Ohio offered a less invasive option.”

Recovery and pain for open-heart surgery are serious, generally taking six to 12 weeks, with longer restrictions on activities, lifting and driving.

Minimally Invasive Procedure as an Alternative to Open Heart Surgery

Greg began doing research online and came across a story about a patient in the Cleveland area treated with a minimally invasive robotic approach for a similar issue.

UH Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute cardiac surgeons, including Pablo Ruda Vega, MD, were the first in the state of Ohio to perform coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with the Da Vinci surgical robot. This minimally invasive approach leaves patients with less pain and a shorter recovery after surgery.

Since launching the endeavor in December 2023, UH Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute has built a robust program completing more than 100 robotic CABG procedures per year.

A CABG is a surgical procedure that improves blood flow to the heart by diverting blood around blocked or narrowed coronary arteries. It involves a sternotomy – cutting the breastbone to access the heart – and placing the patient on a heart-lung machine. A minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) accomplishes the same goal without the sternotomy and heart-lung machine. It is performed on a fully beating heart through an incision in the left chest.

An even less invasive option is robotic MIDCAB. This procedure, using the Da Vinci robot, requires only a few small incisions that doctors use to insert robotic arms and a camera for viewing. Surgeons manipulate the robotic arms to perform surgery while viewing magnified images from the camera on a console screen.

“While beneficial, this type of surgery is uncommon at centers across the country because it is technically challenging and requires expert skill with both robotic and off-pump coronary bypass surgeries,” said Dr. Ruda Vega. “At University Hospitals, we have the experience needed to confidently complete successful surgeries with outstanding patient outcomes.”

Second Opinion Leads to Robotic Procedure at UH

In November 2025, at 59 years old, Greg avoided open heart surgery and had his blockage addressed with a minimally invasive robotic procedure at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center. He underwent a hybrid procedure, which involved a bypass to the left anterior descending (LAD) artery, the main artery of the heart, along with stents placed in the other coronary arteries.

“The recovery far exceeded my expectations,” said Greg. “I only had a small amount of pain at the incision sites. I took minimal pain medication. The two-and-a-half-hour drive to Cleveland was worth it for the experience I had.”

The following weekend after his surgery, Greg says he was raking leaves and shoveling snow. Since the procedure, he says he’s had no complications and no shortness of breath, returning to activities like long walks and participating in his passion – cat rescue.

“We’re glad Greg found us and that he’s so pleased with his outcome,” said Dr. Ruda Vega. “Second opinions are empowering for patients and very important in health care. We’re here for people to help explore the best options to keep them living a long, healthy life.”