Your cardiologist will typically recommend surgery when other treatments — like medication or lifestyle changes — haven't controlled your condition, or when imaging shows a structural problem that needs to be fixed. If you've been referred for a surgical consultation, our team will walk you through your options and help you decide if surgery is right for you.
Our Cardiovascular Surgical Options to Treat Heart Disease
At St. Luke’s, our cardiovascular surgeons specialize in comprehensive surgery to treat all kinds of heart disease. Since 2019, Healthgrades® has named St. Luke’s one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals for Cardiac Surgery™. We’ve achieved this high ranking because of our excellent outcomes in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) procedures and heart valve surgery.
We’ve also earned a three-star rating from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) for our excellent patient care and care outcomes in isolated CABG procedures.
Our cardiothoracic surgeons provide our patients with complete, compassionate surgical care. When you come to us for your cardiovascular care, we listen to your concerns and help you understand your options. St. Luke's provides a full array of surgical options to treat heart disease, including:
- Aortic aneurysm or dissection repair (open or minimally invasive surgery to fix or replace a bulging or ruptured section of the aorta, the largest artery in the body)
- Maze procedure for atrial fibrillation (AFib) (a procedure in which the surgeon uses a scalpel, heat or cold to create scar tissue on the heart to block or redirect electrical signals that can cause an irregular heartbeat)
- Minimally invasive lung surgery
- Pacemaker (a device that keeps the heart from beating too slowly) implantation with our electrophysiology specialists
- Reoperative (or redo) cardiothoracic surgeries
- Valve repair or replacement
- Ventricular remodeling (a procedure to restore the heart’s natural shape after a heart attack)
- WATCHMAN™ device to reduce AFib stroke risk
Real Patients, Real Results
When friends and triathlon partners Ray and Mike each needed bypass surgery, they both chose St. Luke's — and both are back training again. Watch their story.
Frequently Asked Questions About Heart Surgery
Our cardiovascular surgeons perform a full range of heart surgeries, including coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), heart valve repair and replacement, aortic aneurysm repair and the maze procedure for atrial fibrillation. We also offer minimally invasive options for many procedures, which can mean smaller incisions, less pain and a faster recovery.
CABG restores blood flow to your heart by routing it around blocked or narrowed arteries using a healthy vessel from elsewhere in your body. We've earned a three-star rating — the highest possible — from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons for our CABG outcomes, and Healthgrades has named us one of America's 50 Best Hospitals for Cardiac Surgery every year since 2019.
For many procedures, yes. Minimally invasive techniques use smaller incisions rather than opening the chest fully, which can mean less blood loss, lower infection risk, and a shorter hospital stay. Whether it's right for you depends on your specific condition, and our surgeons will talk through that with you during your consultation.
It depends on the procedure and your overall health. Most patients spend several days in the hospital before going home. Your first week at home will include light activity and close monitoring of your incision and vitals, with walking increasing gradually each day. Most patients can return to normal activities within four to six weeks. Before you go home, your care team will give you a recovery plan built around your specific needs.
Our cardiovascular surgeons are experienced across the full range of heart surgery, and our outcomes show it. We've earned top ratings from both Healthgrades and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons — and when you come to us, we make sure you understand your options and feel confident in your care every step of the way.
Most likely, yes — cardiac rehab is an important part of your recovery, and we'll refer you to an outpatient program shortly after you leave the hospital. The program combines supervised exercise with education about heart health and lifestyle changes. Research shows that patients who complete cardiac rehab can reduce their risk of future heart problems significantly. You'll typically start Phase II rehab classes two to six weeks after going home.