Trusted Heart Surgery Expertise Delivered With Compassion
We know that when it comes to caring for your heart, only the best will do. Our expert surgical team is skilled in minimally invasive heart surgery procedures, which carry lower risks and shorter hospital stays. We go above and beyond to deliver high-quality care by investing in advanced technology and participating in national clinical trials to ensure you heal as quickly as possible.
World-Class Expertise, Wholehearted Care
-
Experienced Surgeons
Across the country, our cardiovascular teams have performed a competitive number of successful open-heart surgeries, providing you with unmatched technical skill and the latest treatments.
-
Whole-Person Care
Our patient-centered care facilities are designed with you in mind. Through diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation, we’re with you the entire way, striving to heal you in body, mind and spirit.
-
Award-Winning Treatments
You don't have to go far to find trusted surgical care. Our locations consistently receive national recognition for our commitment to smarter, safer heart procedures.
An Accurate Diagnosis for Your Heart
If your heart condition can’t be managed with medication, lifestyle changes and other noninvasive methods, your doctor may determine it’s time for you to see a specialist. Our world-class cardiology team can determine the best treatment for you — whether it's open-heart surgery or another solution — through tests and technologies like these.
-
Cardiac Catheterization
A thin tube called a catheter is inserted into your heart via a large vein in your groin, neck or arm to check for valve backflow.
-
Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Detailed pictures of each portion of the heart are taken to compose a three-dimensional picture of the entire organ.
-
Cardiac Stress Tests
These tests evaluate how well your heart functions during sustained physical activity.
-
Chest X-Ray
A chest X-ray is a simple imaging scan that can help reveal valve defects in the heart.
-
Echocardiography
This is a painless, non-invasive test that uses sound waves to capture images of the heart.
-
Electrocardiogram (EKG)
An electrocardiogram is a recording of the heart's electrical activity that can help detect an irregular heartbeat.
Take Heart With Our Advanced Surgical Options
We put our hearts into healing yours. From complex procedures to the latest in minimally invasive techniques, we’re ready to provide the right procedure to address your diagnosis.
- Open-Heart Surgery
-
Open-heart surgery is a general term for surgical procedures that involve opening the chest to stop the heart and repair or replace tissue, muscles, valves or the aorta.
If you undergo open-heart surgery, your surgeons will cut through your breastbone to expose your heart. To keep the body pumping blood and oxygen during the procedure, a heart-lung bypass machine is connected to the blood vessels.
At AdventHealth Cardiovascular Institute locations, we perform the full spectrum of cardiac surgical interventions, including:
- Aorta repair/replacement
- Aortic valve surgery
- Atrial septal defect repair
- Congenital heart defect surgery
- Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or heart bypass surgery
- Heart transplant
- Hypoplastic left heart repair surgery
- Mitral valve surgery
- Tetralogy of Fallot repair surgery
- Transposition of great vessels repair
- Tricuspid atresia repair
- Tricuspid valve surgery
- Truncus arteriosus repair
- Ventricular septal defect repair
- Off-Pump Surgery
-
Recent advances in technology now make it possible for us to operate on a beating heart without using a bypass machine. These advancements can be seen in the most common open-heart procedure, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).
Although still a complex procedure, off-pump surgery reduces risks for patients. Our success rates for these procedures exceed the expectations of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons.
- Minimally Invasive Heart Procedures
-
If we can avoid open-heart surgery, we will. We constantly explore new technologies for less-invasive approaches to heart surgery. Many of our minimally invasive procedures, such as MitraClip® and transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), require only a tiny incision, resulting in less scarring and a speedier recovery.
These procedures are typically reserved for patients at higher risk for traditional open-heart surgery. However, we are currently participating in a clinical trial to see if this technology is beneficial for lower-risk heart patients as well. Your doctor will review your diagnosis and determine the best course of treatment for you.
MitraClip®
MitraClip® may be an option if you have a leaky heart valve (mitral regurgitation) and you’re not a candidate for traditional surgery. This procedure typically involves inserting a catheter through a large vein in the groin and is much less invasive than open-heart surgery, resulting in less scarring and shorter recovery times. MitraClip® is small, safe and effective, delivering the expert heart care you deserve. Learn more about MitraClip®.
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)
Your doctor may recommend transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) if your aortic valve is damaged or diseased. This procedure allows your valve to be replaced rather than removed and provides a safe alternative if surgery isn’t the best option for you. Learn more about TAVR.
Heart Surgeons Who Ease Your Mind
When surgery is necessary to keep your heart beating strong, you want the most experienced and compassionate surgeons at your side — and that’s what you can expect here. Our surgeons put your comfort and safety first, answering your questions and explaining your options, so you can feel comfortable and confident.
A Life Saved, a Lifetime Restored
“We know that God put us exactly in the right place at the exact time that we needed,” says Michelle Mooring, a former AdventHealth patient. Hear her story of hope and healing.
Recognized for Outstanding Heart Surgery Outcomes
Heal Your Heart With Support Groups and Rehab
Adjusting to a new lifestyle after heart surgery can feel overwhelming. But you’ve got this. From connecting you with others through our cardiac support groups to helping you through our rehab programs, we’re here for you the whole way.
Open-Heart Surgery Frequently Asked Questions
Let us help put your mind at ease by answering some of our patients’ most frequently asked questions about open-heart surgery.
-
Q:Question: How long does open-heart surgery take?
A:Answer:The exact length of open-heart surgery varies based on your specific procedure and its complexity. However, it generally takes three to six hours; the preparation lasts one to two hours, and the operation itself lasts anywhere from three to six hours. Postoperative recovery and stabilization takes another one to two hours.
-
Q:Question: What are the risks of open-heart surgery?
A:Answer:Even though open-heart surgery is often lifesaving, it carries some risks that should be discussed with your doctor. Potential health risks of open-heart surgery include:
- Arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats)
- Bleeding
- Blood clots that can cause stroke or venous thromboembolism (VTE)
- Damage to tissues
- Infection, fever, swelling or other signs of inflammation at the incision site
- Memory loss
- Pneumonia
- Problems concentrating or thinking clearly
-
Q:Question: How long will I stay in the hospital for open-heart surgery, and what is recovery like?
A:Answer:While the length of time you spend in the hospital after open-heart surgery is different for each patient, you can expect to remain in the hospital or intensive care unit (ICU) for four to seven days.
Recovery time after open-heart surgery varies from patient to patient. Your specific recovery time depends on the type of procedure you had, your overall health before surgery and any potential complications that come up. But in general, recovery for open-heart surgery takes six to 12 weeks. While recovering at home, you can expect:
- A clicking noise in the chest
- A lump at the incision site
- Constipation
- Mood swings
- Muscle pain and tightness
- Reduced appetite
- Swelling
- Trouble sleeping
-
Q:Question: When can I get back to normal activities after open-heart surgery?
A:Answer:In general, most patients take three months to return to normal activities after open-heart surgery. But the duration varies for each patient. You must talk with your doctor to assess your unique situation to get a better idea of when you can return to normal activities.
Typically, the first six weeks after surgery are all about healing. Weeks six to 12 are when you may be able to make a gradual return to everyday tasks, like driving and returning to a desk job. Month three and beyond is usually when you can expect to return to heavy lifting (anything over 10 pounds), sports activities and other high-demanding physical activity.
Find Heart Surgery Care Near You
If open-heart surgery is the next step in your care plan, rest assured that you’ll find leading-edge options and uncommon compassion from our surgeons within our AdventHealth Cardiovascular Institute network. Our experienced teams excel in open-heart surgery, off-pump surgery and the latest minimally invasive procedures for faster healing — all coordinated through a trusted national network. Explore our locations or let our team guide you to the one that’s right for you.