Cardiovascular, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery

Heart, Lung and Vascular Disease Care Surgery

Heart failure is the leading cause of death in America. Knowing the facts and getting the right type of surgical care are essential steps for a healthy and longer life.

Fast facts about heart disease (according to the CDC):

• Heart disease is responsible for one in four deaths in America.
• Approximately 6.2 million Americans suffer from heart failure.
• Every 36 seconds, one person dies in the United States from heart disease.
• Coronary artery disease is the most common type of heart disease. It affects about 18.2 million adults over 20 in the United States.

Risk factors for heart disease include:

• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Physical inactivity
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Family history of heart disease or heart attack
• Heavy use of tobacco products and/or alcohol

The Las Vegas Cardiovascular Surgeon Specialists can provide quality care for those suffering from heart, lung or vascular disease.

No matter how severe your condition may be, we stay committed to fostering better patient outcomes. Our traditional and minimally invasive procedures help treat heart conditions that require surgery.

Learn more about cardiovascular, thoracic and vascular surgeries by clicking the links below.

Cardiovascular Surgery

Your heart specialist may recommend one of these options based on your type of cardiovascular disease.

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Surgery

Severe coronary heart disease can block blood flow within the coronary artery. This surgery creates a new path for blood to flow into the heart. Bypassing the blocked artery through a healthy vessel can improve blood flow and reduce chest pain.

The cardiac surgeon will utilize a graft (a piece of a healthy vein) to create this new path.

Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

People at a high risk of complications during coronary artery bypass surgery may qualify for this procedure.

In standard coronary artery bypass surgery, surgeons use a machine to pump blood while they operate. This machine can cause issues for patients with complicated heart conditions. Off-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery gives these patients another option. Instead, surgeons use alternative, advanced technology to keep the heart beating while they operate.

Aortic Valve Replacement

Aortic valve disease can cause a narrowing of the aortic vein, restricting blood from entering the heart. This disease can also cause the valve to not entirely close, allowing blood to flow back into the heart.

In this procedure, surgeons replace the failing aortic valve with an artificial valve to improve blood flow to the heart. A cardiovascular physician may recommend this option when repair is not an option for patients with severe heart valve disease.

This procedure can often be done with minimally invasive surgery. Minimally invasive techniques offer patients several benefits, including reduced trauma to the body and a quicker recovery.

Mitral Valve Repair/Replacement

The mitral valve controls the inflow of blood to the heart. It restricts blood from flowing back into the lungs. Damage to the mitral valve can cause it to narrow or leak. Generally, your doctor will recommend repair rather than full replacement, as this gives you a better chance of preserving heart functions.

Surgeons perform most mitral valve repairs using minimally invasive techniques. These techniques involve smaller incisions and reduced blood loss compared to open surgery.

In cases when full valve replacement is necessary, surgeons will remove the weak valve and replace it with an artificial valve. The artificial valve can regulate a more normal flow of blood. This can relieve shortness of breath and fatigue and allow you to return to normal activities.

Trans Catheter Aortic Valve Replacement

Trans Catheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR), is a minimally invasive method for aortic valve replacement. This method is an alternative to open-heart surgery, which may pose risks to certain aortic stenosis patients.

Aortic stenosis is caused by a build-up of calcium deposits on the valve. These deposits make the heart pump harder and restrict blood flow. This common but serious valve disease can lead to heart failure or cardiac arrest if left untreated.

In this procedure, the surgeon threads a hollow catheter through the femoral artery near the groin or a small chest. The surgeon guides the catheter to the heart. They can then pass a replacement valve through the catheter and place it in the aortic valve.

Pericardial Window

Pericardial effusion (fluid) may build up from diseases, injury or after a procedure. In healthy hearts, the fluid provides a cushion around the heart muscles. However, too much fluid can constrict the heart, making it difficult to pump blood.

A pericardial window serves a dual purpose: to diagnose and improve heart function. Using a small incision near your chest, surgeons can drain excess fluid surrounding the heart and view biopsy sites.

Thoracic Aneurysm Repair

Thoracic aneurysm repair may be necessary if a weak part of the aorta bulges or expands. During the procedure, surgeons will replace this weak portion with a graft, or healthy piece of living tissue.

Note that few patients show symptoms after they suffer a thoracic aneurysm. However, if a bulge should rupture, it can cause internal bleeding, shock or even death. Talk to your cardiovascular physician to see if you are at risk for a thoracic aneurysm.

Atrial Septal Defect Repair

This type of surgery serves to repair holes typically found in the wall of the heart chambers. The holes, known as atrial septal defects, form due to a congenital condition.

Small defects may close on their own. However large holes can stay open, causing blood to flow back into the heart chamber. When that happens, the heart exerts more effort to re-pump the blood through the body.

Atrial septal defect repair can be performed as a catheter-based repair or with traditional open-heart surgery.

In catheter-based repair, the surgeon will insert a thin, flexible tube (catheter) into a blood vessel. Advanced imaging techniques help the surgeon guide the tube to the heart. The catheter serves as a path for the surgeon to send a mesh plug or patch to the heart. This mesh plug or patch is used to repair the hole.

Thoracic Surgery

Diseases in the chest and lungs may require thoracic surgery. When possible, surgeons will recommend minimally invasive or robotically-assisted techniques. These techniques can reduce pain, scarring and complications during and after surgery.

Thoracotomy

Certain surgical procedures involving the throat, lungs, heart, aorta or diaphragm require a large opening of the chest cavity. This is called a thoracotomy. Thoracotomies give surgeons the access they need to perform specific procedures, such as tumor removal or heart transplant.

Lobectomy

Your lungs have multiple separate divisions, called lobes, which help your lungs function as they should. Surgeons may perform a lobectomy if a disease, such as tuberculosis, emphysema or fungal infections, or cancerous tumor infects a lobe.

During this procedure, the surgeon removes the affected lobe to prevent the disease or cancer from spreading to healthier lobes. Its removal can preserve the health of surrounding lobes that can maintain the lung’s normal function.

Lung Biopsy

People at risk of lung disease or lung cancer may benefit from a lung biopsy.

In this procedure, surgeons remove samples of lung tissue and examine them for abnormalities. This can help your doctor assess, diagnose and guide treatment for confirmed conditions.

Methods of performing lung biopsies vary depending on the disease or condition being evaluated. Talk to your doctor about which procedure is right for you and ways to prepare for your biopsy.

Vascular Surgery

Vascular surgery involves the treatment of diseases affecting veins, arteries or other blood vessels. This intricate system circulates blood to vital organs, such as the heart and brain, so they can function. The following procedures help keep vessels open and clear or create a new path for blood to flow.

Carotid Endarterectomy

People suffering from carotid artery disease are especially at high risk of stroke. Carotid artery disease can cause fatty or waxy build-up that starts to clog the carotid artery.

Carotid endarterectomies help restore normal blood flow to the neck and brain. The goal of the surgery is to clear excess build-up and avoid the chance of blood clots in the brain.

To perform this procedure, surgeons will make a small incision in your carotid artery, located on the side of your neck. They then remove the interlining, effectively clearing deposits from the artery.

Carotid Stenting

Carotid stenting procedures use a wire mesh coil, or stent, to open carotid arteries in the neck. This helps improve blood flow to the brain. Carotid stenting is a less invasive approach than carotid endarterectomy.

This approach widens arteries that have narrowed instead of removing the interlining completely.

The surgery is done in three parts. First, the surgeon threads a balloon to the affected area. Next, they inflate the balloon to widen the artery. Finally, they place a stent to allow blood to flow naturally.

Leg Bypass Surgery

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a condition that narrows certain arteries and reduces blood flow to your limbs. The disease can cause circulation problems and pain or trouble walking in severe cases.

Bypass surgery allows the surgeon to create a healthier path for blood to flow using a synthetic or organic blood vessel. This procedure is particularly beneficial for those that are not a candidate for angioplasty.

Endoscopic Vein Harvesting

For coronary artery bypass surgery, surgeons need healthy veins to create a graft. A graft is living tissue that surgeons use to create a new path for blood to flow. Removing a healthy vein from your leg or arm gives surgeons the organic material needed.

Endoscopic vein harvesting is a minimally invasive procedure. The procedure allows surgeons to remove the vein through small incisions instead of a large cut. This can reduce pain after the procedure and lower your risk of infection.

Angioplasty and Stenting

Angioplasty and stents are used to treat people with peripheral artery disease (PAD). This can narrow arteries and reduce circulation at certain parts of the body.

During an angioplasty, surgeons will thread a catheter tipped with a balloon through a small incision in your skin. Once the catheter reaches the intended area, the balloon inflates to widen the artery and let blood flow naturally. Your surgeon may decide to also insert a sturdy metal tube, called a stent, to keep the artery open after surgery.