Cardiac Surgery

What we treat

We offer cardiovascular surgery for a wide range of diseases and conditions, including:  

• Coronary artery disease (artery blockage)
• Adult congenital heart disease (heart defects present at birth)
• Endocarditis (heart valve infections)
• Heart arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat)
• Heart valve disease
  • Aortic valve stenosis (narrowed valve)
  • Aortic valve regurgitation (leaky valve)
  • Mitral valve stenosis (narrowed valve)
  • Mitral valve regurgitation (leaky valve)
  • Pulmonary valve disease (leaky or narrowed valve)
  • Tricuspid valve disease (leaky or narrowed valve, adult congenital defect)
• Heart failure
  • Heart Transplantation
  • Ventricular Assist Device
  • Barostim placement
• Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (thickening of heart muscle)
• Thoracic (chest) aortic disease:
  • Aortic aneurysm (bulging of aortic wall)
  • Coarctation of the aorta (narrowed section of aorta)

Cardiac surgical treatments

We’re renowned experts in our field, providing the latest treatments in the least invasive way possible to give you a quicker recovery and achieve the best long-term outcomes. Here are some of the most common cardiovascular surgical treatments and noninvasive, catheter-based therapies we offer:

• Aortic valve repair and aortic valve replacement help restore blood flow and can be done through traditional open-heart surgery, minimally invasive surgery or noninvasive methods, like transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).
  • TAVR is designed to treat aortic valve stenosis. We replace the thickened valve with an artificial valve to restore blood flow.

• Aortic aneurysm repair is done to fix a widened section of the artery wall that could burst or tear if left untreated. The repair can be done through traditional open-heart surgery or noninvasive methods, like thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR).
  • TEVAR uses a catheter to place a stent (tube) within the chest section of the aorta and seal the aneurysm off from the inside

• Aortic coarctation repair opens the narrowed portion of the aorta to restore blood flow. We do this through open heart surgery or a catheter-based approach, like thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR).
  • TEVAR involves using a catheter to place a stent (tube) within the chest section of the aorta to dilate (blow up) a balloon to open the narrowed area.

• Cardiac ablation for heart arrhythmias is used to correct heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias). We use heating or cooling energy to create scar lines (or a maze) on the surface of the heart to block abnormal electrical signals while allowing normal heartbeat signals to come through. We do this through open heart maze surgery, minimally invasive maze surgery, hybrid maze surgery and noninvasive/minimally invasive left atrial appendage closure.
  • Hybrid maze surgery combines surgery and catheter-based techniques. We create scar lines (or a maze) and then use a catheter ablation technique to create scars on the inside of the heart.
  • Left atrial appendage closure is used to reduce the risk of stroke in patients with an irregular heartbeat and long-term risk of bleeding (associated with blood thinner medications). This can be done noninvasively or minimally invasively.

• Coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) is used to bypass a blockage in one or more heart arteries. We do this by using a blood vessel from another part of your body (such as your arm leg or chest) to create a detour around the blockage, restoring blood flow. We offer CABG via open heart surgery, minimally invasive surgery and a hybrid surgical approach that combines minimally invasive surgery with coronary stenting.
• Heart failure surgery may be needed in advanced heart failure cases to restore heart function. We provide heart transplants and are the region’s only heart transplant program. We also perform surgery to implant ventricular assist devices (VADs) or a total artificial heart to give you the critical treatment you need until you can get a heart transplant.
• Mitral valve repair and mitral valve replacement are used to treat a leaky or narrowed mitral valve. We offer open heart surgery, minimally invasive surgery and catheter-based approaches, like transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER).
• Septal myectomy for obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a type of open-heart surgery where we shave away excess heart muscle to restore blood flow.
• Tricuspid valve repair and tricuspid valve replacement help restore blood flow when your heart’s tricuspid valve isn’t working correctly (leaky or narrowed valve). We do this through open heart surgery, minimally invasive surgery and catheter-based therapies.
• Surgery for infective endocarditis (valve repair and replacement) is for severe heart valve infections when surgical treatment is the only way to avoid heart failure. Depending on the severity of the case, we’ll remove infected tissue or replace the valve with an artificial one.
• Clinical trials give you access to the most advanced techniques and devices available. Our cardiothoracic surgery program leads a wide range of trials for many of the diseases and conditions we treat.