Category Archives: Cardiac Surgery

What Are Holes in the Heart? Holes in the heart are simple congenital (kon-JEN-ih-tal) heart defects. Congenital heart defects are problems with the heart's structure that are present at birth. These defects change the normal flow of blood through the heart. Your heart has two sides, separated by an inner wall called the septum. With each heartbeat, the right side of your heart receives oxygen-poor blood from your body and pumps it to your lungs. The left side of your heart receives oxygen-rich blood from your lungs and pumps it to your body. The septum prevents mixing of blood between the two sides of the heart. However, some babies are born with holes in the upper or lower septum. A hole in the septum between the heart's two upper chambers is called an atrial septal defect (ASD). A hole in the septum between the heart's two lower chambers is called a ventricular septal defect (VSD). ASDs and VSDs allow blood to pass from the left side of the heart to the right side. This means that oxygen-rich blood can mix with oxygen-poor blood. As a result, some oxygen-rich blood is pumped to the lungs instead of out to the body. … Continue reading →

Overview: Each day, thousands of people in the world have cardiac surgery (also known as heart surgery). Cardiac surgery is used to correct heart problems in children and adults. When medication and catheter-based treatments do not relieve your symptoms then cardiac surgery may be your only option for treatment for a range of heart conditions, including but not limited to mitral valve prolapse (MVP), atrial septal defect (ASD), and coronary artery disease. Facing either traditional heart surgery or open heart surgery to treat disorders occurring in the chest cavity can be a frightening experience. You have several decisions to make including choosing your cardiac surgeon, your hospital, and which procedure you and your physician choose. What is cardiac surgery? Cardiac surgery is a surgery on the heart performed by cardiac surgeons. Frequently, it is done to treat complications of ischemic heart disease (for example, coronary artery bypass grafting), correct congenital heart disease, or treat valvular heart disease caused by various causes including endocarditis. It also includes heart transplantation. Why Cardiac Surgery? The various types of Cardiac Surgeries performed may be used to address the following issues: Ventricular Assist Devices: VADs are mechanical pumps that are used to support heart function … Continue reading →

Aortic AneurysmThe USC Comprehensive Aortic Center at the Keck Medical Center of USC was created to provide the best and most advanced care for patients with aortic disease, including aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection and genetic disorders. The Aortic Center employs the recognized expertise of our cardiac and vascular surgeons to provide the full complement of endovascular and open aortic procedures. The center has implemented a quick-response program, which provides emergency transport to Keck Medical Center for patients with emergencies. Learn more The USC Center for the Comprehensive Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation at Keck Medicine of USC comprises a multidisciplinary team of world-renowned heart rhythm specialists dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of patients with atrial fibrillation. Our approach centers on the recognition that each patients condition is unique. Our model of care emphasizes the development of individualized patient treatment plans that incorporate state-of-the-art medical therapies for atrial fibrillation while striving to reduce or eliminate patient symptoms and decrease an individuals risk of stroke. We also offer full diagnostic services and treatment options via our USC Cardiology Program and USC Electrophysiology Program. Learn more Learn more about USC Cardiology. Learn more about the USC Electrophysiology Program. Learn more At the USC … Continue reading →

Anatomy of the Mitral Valve: The heart is a biological pump with four chambers and four valves directing the flow of blood. The right side of the heart collects the blood from the body and pumps it into the lungs. The left side of the heart collects the blood from the lungs and, in turn, pumps it into the body. Between the two chambers on the right side lies the tricuspid valve. The other valve -- the pulmonary valve -- is on the right side is between the bottom chamber and the main feeding artery to the lungs. On the left side lies the mitral valve between the top chamber and the bottom chamber. The aortic valve lies between the bottom chamber on the left side and the main feeding vessel of the body -- the aorta. The pulmonary valve and the aortic valve have three leaflets and are relatively simple valves. Their function resembles that of valves of an engine, except these valves allow blood to flow in one direction only. The mitral valve is a complex apparatus whose function is intimately related to the left ventricle -- the bottom chamber on the left side. This valve has four … Continue reading →

The pediatric cardiac surgery team at CHKD's Heart Centerprovides expert, patient-centered care in collaboration with our cardiologists,neonatologists and pediatric intensivists. Family members and referring physicians are also essential members ofour care teams. CHKD's cardiac surgery program is part of a regional collaborative between CHKD and the University of Virginia. CHKD and UVA combine the efforts of pediatric cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, cardiac anesthesiologists, intensive care physicians and cardiac support professionals from both institutions with the goal of improving outcomes for children with complex congenital heart defects. Dr. Philip Smith, Chief of Cardiac Surgery at CHKD, andDr. James Gangemi, Surgical Director of the University of Virginia/CHKD collaborative, are both board certifiedby the American Board of Thoracic Surgery and perform the gamut of operations with a dedicated cardiac surgery team in CHKD's new state-of-the-art operating suite. CHKD's team includesthree board-certified pediatric cardiac anesthesiologistswho also assist in the care of patients who require any diagnostic or interventional catheterization procedure. In addition, they provide anesthesia for all complex cardiac surgery patients who require other procedures, including general surgery, dental procedures, endoscopy, as well as CT or MRI imaging studies. CHKD is Virginia's only freestanding full-service children's hospital. Every inch of our facility and all members … Continue reading →

When you need heart surgery, trust UNC Medical Centers caring experts in Chapel Hill and elsewhere in central North Carolina. Our experienced, multidisciplinary team tailors a treatment plan to your requirements and preferences. And you can count on us to provide excellent care for even the most complex cases. Youll find almost any surgical heart procedure at UNC Medical Center, including: If you qualify for minimally invasive (keyhole) heart surgery, your surgeon will make small incisions on the right side of your chest and perform the operation through your ribs. Your breastbone will remain intact. You may need a heart-lung bypass machine, which takes over your hearts pumping action while the surgeon works. In some cases, your doctor may recommend an interventional cardiology procedure a minimally invasive treatment that speeds your recovery and offers an alternative to surgery. Following your cardiac surgery, youll receive top-quality care as you heal in an intensive care unit thats earned a gold-level Beacon Award for Excellence from the American Association of Critical Care Nurses. And well help you get back to the activities you love through our cardiac rehabilitation program. If your childs heart condition requires surgery, youll find specialized services at N.C. Childrens … Continue reading →

Heart Surgery Surgery is used to treat heart defects. Procedures range from the simple, such as closing a hole or tying off a vessel, to the complex, such as switching vessels or repairing heart valves. Many heart surgeries are designed to restore the hearts circulation to as normal a level as possible so a child can live a long and active life. Babies born with complex heart defects need various surgeries, sometimes over several years, for their heart to work the best that it can. The pediatric heart surgeons at Seattle Childrens use the most advanced techniques and achieve results that are among the best in the nation. Many heart defects can be fixed with cardiac catheterization procedures, but some conditions still require surgery. Heart operations are commonly used to close holes in the heart. Other less common surgeries include: Some children are born with complex heart defects that prevent 1 of the hearts 2 pumping chambers (ventricles) from working (single ventricle defect). These children require a series of surgeries over several years to help their heart pump well enough. Children with single ventricle defects receive compassionate, comprehensive care through our Single Ventricle Program. Our pediatric heart surgeons are experts … Continue reading →

The Heart Institute is an international leader in cardiac surgery. We have among the lowest mortality rates and largest patient volumes throughout North America, particularly for high-risk patients. Our Cardiac Surgery program provides a model of surgical performance and expertise in which patient diagnosis, assessment, treatment, and follow-up involve a concerted team approach. Through a tiny incision between the ribs, multiple healthy blood vessels are grafted onto arteries to bypass coronary blockages. The operation is conducted while the heart is beating. The standard open-heart method involves stopping the heart, using a heart-lung machine, and breaking the breastbone to open the chest. Only a few sites in North America perform this procedure, which requires specialized tools and training. We specialize in heart valve surgical techniques--for reconstruction of valves instead of replacement--including mitral and aortic valve repair. Surgeons also perform complex aortic valve procedures using minimally invasive surgical techniques. The comprehensive Valve Surgery Clinic follows patients after surgery to ensure thorough follow-up care. For patients suffering from aortic stenosis (narrowing of the aortic valve) who are not good candidates for surgery, TAVI offers a minimally invasive option. Our medical team combines the exceptional skills of a surgeon and an interventional cardiologist in … Continue reading →

The following statement is an updated version of guidelines that were first published by the American College of Surgeons in 1991. The revised statement was developed by the Advisory Council for Cardiothoracic Surgery and approved by the College's Board of Regents in October 1996. This report provides guidelines to be used by hospital executives and appropriate medical staff only. It places no value judgment on existing successful programs or on the treatment of individual patients. While current standards of practice form the basis of this report, it is recognized that large programs in cardiac surgery grow from smaller ones. Hospitals and their staffs should exercise their own discretion in approving programs based on local need and the responsibility for achieving a good standard of practice. While attention is directed primarily to open-heart surgery, the proposed standards should apply to closed-heart operations as well as to operations on the great vessels within the chest. In borderline situations, in which the number of open-heart operations does not meet the established guidelines, the American College of Surgeons recommends the use of peer review. Specification of the qualifications for cardiac surgeons in an established practice is beyond the scope of these guidelines. Surgeons practicing … Continue reading →

Capabilities, Performance and Outcomes Booklet Released MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute is pleased to release a special edition of Cardiovascular Physician, featuring our 2016 Capabilities, Performance and Outcomes booklet. "In a Heartbeat" features articles on Cardiac Surgery, Structural Heart, Interventional Cardiology, Electrophysiology, Advanced Heart Failure and Vascular Surgery. Major Milestone: MHVI Performs 100th WATCHMAN Procedure Currently, MedStar Washington Hospital Center and MedStar Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore offer the device to patients who have atrial fibrillation (A-fib), an abnormal heart rhythm that causes a fast and erratic heartbeat. The two facilities have performed a total of 100 procedures since the WATCHMAN was FDA-approved in March 2015, more than any other institution from Delaware to South Carolina to date. Innovations In Heart Care Webcast Aimed to offer new hope for the estimated 27 million people in the U.S. with heart disease, MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute at MedStar Union Memorial Hospital hosted an hour long Innovations in Heart Care Webcast. The webcast featured five of Baltimore's top cardiac experts in an engaging interactive dialogue focused on recent innovations in heart care. TOP RANKED FOR EXCELLENCE FOCUSED ON YOU MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute is one of the top-ranked cardiovascular programs in … Continue reading →