The Cardiac Surgery Division provides outstanding outcomes and the latest approaches for most aspects of cardiac surgery, such as those for:

• Coronary artery bypass, including high-risk procedures for patients with poorly functioning heart muscle
• Remodeling procedures to reshape a damaged heart to make it work more efficiently
• Repair of complex aortic root and aneurysmal disease, including dissections of the thoracic aorta and other acute emergency problems
• Repair of heart valves
• Atrial fibrillation along with valve surgery
• Isolated, stand-alone atrial fibrillation surgery, known as the mini-Maze procedure
• Implantation of biventricular defibrillators and pacemakers

Surgeon-Driven, Multidisciplinary Approach
The Cardiac Surgery Division is a surgeon-oriented service in which the operating cardiac surgeons also provide the pre- and post-operative medical care. Supported by a dedicated team of anesthesiologists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, critical care and operating room nurses, social workers, and physical therapists, the section’s surgeons guarantee a continuum of care, trusting doctor-patient relationships, and an unusually high level of personalized attention.

Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgical Techniques
Along with traditional, open-heart operations, the division’s cardiac surgeons perform many therapeutic procedures using minimally invasive or less-invasive techniques. When possible, for instance, bypass surgery is done “off-pump,” that is without putting the patient on a heart-lung machine. Many other procedures, such as valve repairs, are done using small incisions.

Arterial bypass grafting is one important advance in which the division has nationally recognized expertise. Traditional bypass grafting uses veins in the leg. Newer approaches use the arteries from the arms instead, harvested using very small incisions at the wrist. When leg veins are still necessary, smaller incisions are also used just above the knee.

Because minimally and less-invasive procedures allow treatment with smaller incisions and less operative trauma patients benefit with less postoperative pain, limited scarring, faster recovery and diminished complications.

Division Surgeons

• Charles M. Geller, MD
• Darryl M. Hoffman, MD
• Robert F. Tranbaugh, MD (Chief)

To make an appointment with one of our surgeons, please complete the appointment scheduling form. A staff member will contact you within 48 hours to schedule an appointment.