Cardiac Surgery

The Regional Heart Program features two open-heart surgery suites, each equipped with the latest in surgical technology. Open-heart surgery is a team effort involving highly-trained, skilled and experienced surgeons, cardiothoracic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, and technologists who monitor the patient during the operation. During open-heart surgery the bloodstream is diverted through a heart/lung machine where the blood receives oxygen and is then returned to the patient. The cardiac surgery program serves adults age 18 and older.

Some of our cardiac surgeries include:

Bypass Graft – a vein or an artery from the patient is used as a conduit to bypass or go around a blocked area in the coronary arteries. The procedure can be performed on pump—the patient is supported by a heart/lung machine, or off pump—the heart/lung machine is not used.

Endoscopic Vein Harvesting – a minimally invasive way to obtain a vein used to create a bypass graft, requiring only a small incision on the patient’s leg.

Heart Assist Devices – a pump used to support the heart temporarily when the heart fails.

Maze Procedure – a technique used to treat atrial fibrillation, an abnormal heart rhythm. Pathways responsible for abnormal rhythm are interrupted, or ablated, to restore normal rhythm.

Repair of Trauma to the Heart and Great Vessels – surgical procedures are used to repair damage caused by a blunt or penetrating trauma.

Thoracic Aortic Dissection Repair – replacing a damaged part of the aorta, often times the root of the aorta where it originates from the heart.

Transesophageal Echocardiography – ultrasound images of the heart are used during surgery to monitor heart function and diagnose problems in the heart valves.

Transmyocardial Laser Revascularization – a laser is used to create microscopic channels in the heart muscle to help prevent angina or chest pain.

Treatment of Septal Defects – holes in the dividing tissue between the right and left sides of the heart are repaired with Dacron patches.

Valve Repair and Replacement – in a repair, damaged tissue is repaired surgically and often a special ring is used to support the valve. In a replacement, the natural valve is completely replaced with an artificial valve.

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