Surgery
Our heart and chest surgeons are on the leading edge of diagnosing and surgically treating conditions of the heart, lungs and chest by using the latest innovations and techniques in heart surgery.
The maze procedure is a surgical treatment for atrial fibrillation also known as a surgical ablation. The surgeon uses a minimally invasive approach to create scar tissue using radio waves, freezing, or microwave or ultrasound. The scar tissue, which does not conduct electrical activity, blocks the abnormal electrical signals causing the arrhythmia. Instead, the scar tissue directs electric signals through a controlled path, or maze, to the lower heart chambers.
For patients who have reached a stage of advanced heart failure where your heart is no longer able to pump enough blood to meet your body's needs, a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) may be an option. The LVAD is a surgically implanted mechanical pump that is attached to the heart and powered by an external battery, working with the heart to help it pump more blood with less stress on the heart.
This minimally invasive surgical procedure repairs the valve without removing the old, damaged valve. Instead, it wedges a replacement valve into the aortic valve's place. This procedure is used for those who may be at a greater risk for open heart surgery.
