Cardiovascular Surgical Services

Advanced cardiovascular surgical services at The Heart Hospital at St. Joseph’s Hospital

The Heart Hospital at St. Joseph's Hospital provides the region's leading cardiovascular care, performing the most advanced open-heart surgeries and cardiovascular procedures. Our services range from diagnostics to therapeutic and surgical treatments, all managed by a dedicated team of board-certified cardiologists, expert surgeons, specialized cardiac nurses and certified technologists. Patients at The Heart Hospital receive the best cardiovascular care with the latest technologies and proven techniques for you to live your highest heart-healthy life.

Specialized vascular surgery for improved blood flow

With a state-of-the-art approach to vascular surgery, The Heart Hospital addresses vascular disease and improves blood flow through procedures led by Dr. Lee Yates, our Medical Director of Vascular Surgery. Vascular disease, often caused by plaque buildup in the arteries, can result in restricted blood flow and serious health risks. Our advanced vascular facilities offer a range of procedures, each tailored to restore circulation and enhance quality of life.

• Angiography Suite: Physicians use catheters to clear arterial plaque, improving blood flow and reducing the risk of complications.
• Peripheral Arterial Stenting and Angioplasty: Surgeons place stents within peripheral arteries to support increased blood flow.
• Interventional Radiology Suite: With balloon angioplasty and stenting, our interventional radiologists use specialized imaging technology to restore circulation by opening blocked vessels.

Hybrid Operating Suite for comprehensive cardiovascular procedures

Our Hybrid Operating Suite is a sophisticated vascular and cardiothoracic operating environment that allows surgeons to perform minimally invasive interventional and open surgery without relocating the patient. This suite combines imaging technology with an operating room (OR) functionality, enabling surgeons to switch between minimally invasive and open techniques, if necessary, effortlessly.

The Hybrid Suite is equipped with groundbreaking features:

• Permanent C-Arm for Fluoroscopy: Provides real-time X-ray imaging, giving surgeons precise visualization during procedures.
• Multiple Monitors and Large Screens: Allow any surgical team member to access patient data and imaging results instantly.
• Integrated Diagnostic Imaging Access: Physicians can access images from echocardiograms and CT scans directly in the suite, enabling immediate assessment and adjustments.

In this advanced space, we perform procedures like Carotid Endarterectomy (removing carotid artery blockages), Aortic Abdominal Aneurysm Repair (stenting an enlarged portion of the artery), and Arteriovenous Fistulas (creating access for dialysis). The Hybrid Suite provides patients and physicians with increased options and ultimate safety. 

Robotic-assisted thoracic surgery with da Vinci Technology

The Heart Hospital at St. Joseph's is the only regional medical center to offer robotic-assisted thoracic surgery with the da Vinci Surgical System. Our highly trained cardiothoracic surgeons use robotic technology to perform precise procedures with smaller incisions, reducing patient discomfort, blood loss and recovery time. This option is necessary for high-risk patients or those who may not tolerate traditional open surgery.

Thoracic procedures performed with the da Vinci Surgical System include:

• Wedge Resection: Removal of a small portion of the lung to treat or diagnose disease.
• Lobe Resection: Removal of an entire lobe of the lung for conditions like cancer.
• Mediastinoscopy: Using a scope to examine or biopsy the area between the lungs.
• Mediastinal Mass Resection: Removal of a mass located in the chest area.
• Thoracoscopy: Using small incisions to examine or biopsy inside the chest cavity.

With smaller incisions, robotic-assisted surgeries allow our patients to experience faster recovery and reduce the risk of complications, allowing you to focus more on healing and getting back to your life.

Coronary Care Unit (CCU) for intensive cardiac monitoring

The Heart Hospital's Coronary Care Unit (CCU) provides continuous, specialized cardiac monitoring for patients recovering from a heart attack, cardiovascular surgery, or conditions like unstable angina. Our skilled cardiac team is trained to detect any signs of instability and intervene immediately, ensuring the highest standard of care and supporting positive outcomes in critical cardiac care.