Cardiac Surgery

Coordinated Care | Surgical Options

Advancements in heart surgery continue to yield excellent outcomes for a wide array of cardiovascular conditions, from coronary artery disease and valve disorders to heart failure and atrial fibrillation. At NorthShore, our highly trained cardiac surgeons use the latest minimally invasive techniques and innovative surgical methods found only in the nation’s premier medical centers. Striving to enhance quality of life and extend longevity for our patients, we provide leading-edge cardiac surgery care with a personal touch that ensures an exceptional patient experience.

Coordinated Care

Integrated team care is essential for optimal results before and after cardiac surgery. The multidisciplinary approach of the NorthShore Cardiovascular Institute (CVI) involves the close coordination of cardiac services from the moment you enter our doors. Our CVI team of cardiologists, cardiac and vascular surgeons and nurses work together as one: the same team all the time. This consistency ensures continuity of care and access to specialists always on top of your unique medical and surgical treatment needs. Clinical navigators serve as one constant point of contact and help to guide patients throughout the surgical journey: from pre-op workups to post-surgery follow up. The CVI keeps referring physicians up to date on your care and follow-up plan for a seamless transition after you leave the hospital.

Surgical Options

NorthShore’s board-certified cardiac surgeons are skilled in performing both open and minimally invasive procedures. They have extensive experience and expertise in treating the most common heart conditions as well as the most complex:

• Coronary Bypass Surgery
  Long the standard of care for coronary artery disease, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery remains one of the best methods for unblocking clogged arteries narrowed by plaque buildup (atherosclerosis). An open heart procedure, CABG surgery involves taking a blood vessel from the chest wall or leg and using it restore blood flow to the affected portion of the heart muscle. NorthShore’s cardiac surgeons continually achieve superior outcomes with CABG procedures and have one of the lowest complication rates in the region.
  
  
• Heart Valve Repair or Replacement Surgery
  Malfunctioning heart valves can result from narrowing (stenosis) of the valve or leaking (regurgitation) of a valve. In either case, the heart must work harder to pump blood to the body. Open-heart surgery continues to be a standard surgical option to repair and/or replace valves.
  
  For valves that cannot be repaired, an artificial valve may be required to replace the faulty valve. NorthShore’s cardiac surgeons employ the use of mechanical or biological replacement valves.  Mechanical valves are made from man-made materials. Most biological valves originate from animal tissue, and some valves come from human donor hearts.
  
  
• Advanced Heart Valve Treatments
  Some patients may not qualify for open-heart surgery due to poor health. Or they are at high risk for complications. Innovating novel surgical options, NorthShore’s cardiac surgeons and interventional cardiologists are breaking ground on the use of minimally invasive catheter-based techniques to either repair or replace heart valves, or correct other structural heart disease conditions. In fact, NorthShore was the first medical center in the country to pioneer a minimally invasive technique for mitral valve repair.
  
  NorthShore offers a number of clinical trials assessing the efficacy and outcomes of state-of-the-art heart valve procedures.
  
  
• Ventricular Assist Devices
  Severe heart failure can lead to a heart so weak it can no longer effectively pump blood throughout the body. Some patients may require a ventricular assist device (VAD) to help support blood flow while awaiting a heart transplant or as a long-term solution to relieve debilitating symptoms of congestive heart failure.
  
  Implantation of these mechanical devices occurs most commonly in the left ventricle of the heart. Known as left ventricular assist devices (LVADs), this often lifesaving procedure requires open-heart surgery. NorthShore’s cardiac surgeons have vast experience with LVAD and other mechanical assist procedures such as Impella percutaneous support, NuPulse wearable intra-aortic balloon pump, Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenator, using the latest generation of mechanical heart pumps and achieving outstanding outcomes.
  
  
• Atrial Fibrillation Surgery
  Treatment for atrial fibrillation can include medications, catheter ablations and surgery. NorthShore’s cardiac surgeons routinely perform the “Maze Procedure” to treat the condition in patients with atrial fibrillation who are undergoing valve or coronary surgery. Certain patients with atrial fibrillation may be candidates for the hybrid procedure, which combines elements of both catheter-based and surgical techniques in a minimally invasive fashion.
  
  
• Aortic Surgery
  Depending on their size, location and how fast they are growing, abdominal (stomach) or thoracic (chest) aortic aneurysms may require surgical treatment. NorthShore’s vascular surgeons are highly skilled in performing catheter-based minimally invasive endovascular repair (EVAR and TEVAR) to place stent grafts across the diseased aorta. A small percentage of patients may need open surgery performed by NorthShore’s vascular surgeons for the repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms. More complicated procedures, open thoracic aortic aneurysm repairs demand the combined expertise of a NorthShore vascular surgeon and a Northshore cardiac surgeon, who work together in the operating room.

For More Information

For more information about cardiac surgery, please call 847.864.3278.