If you are faced with a heart condition, surgery may be a lifesaving option. At Penn Medicine, our internationally recognized heart surgeons care for every cardiac need — from routine to highly complex.
Our surgeons perform more than 3,000 procedures each year. This experience translates to greater innovations, better outcomes and more options in the cardiovascular surgery space that help patients get back to living their everyday lives.
Heart Surgeons with Experience and Precision: The Penn Medicine Advantage
Our surgeons have specialized skills and deep experience performing heart surgery. As a result, we deliver some of the highest success rates and lowest complication rates in the country. We designed our surgical processes to give you the best possible outcomes.
Research-Based Heart Procedures
Penn cardiac researchers are responsible for many of the breakthroughs in heart treatment that have occurred over the past two decades. Our focus on heart research and clinical trials means patients get access to innovative treatment options not available elsewhere.
Learn more about heart health research at the Penn Cardiovascular Institute
Pioneering Innovations in Cardiac Surgery
We always strive to perform your operation in the least invasive manner possible. Our surgeons are leaders in developing and using innovative approaches for procedures like coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Though sometimes open-heart surgery is necessary, whenever possible we perform CABG using smaller incisions, often assisted by a surgical robot.
The Penn team of cardiologists and surgeons were early adopters of catheter-based approaches (which use tiny tubes inserted through a vein), such as transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Now, we're pushing the limits of that procedure and redefining its use for other cardiac needs.
Learn about Penn’s innovations in minimally invasive heart surgery
A Multidisciplinary Team Approach to Heart Surgery
Our surgeons and interventional cardiologists often work together in one of our state-of-the-art hybrid operating rooms. These surgical suites offer the latest technologies for performing both traditional heart operations and catheter-based procedures at the same time. The benefit to patients is that they only need to undergo general anesthesia once.
We also work closely with vascular surgeons if a patient has aortic disease that extends into the abdomen.
Training Tomorrow's Cardiac Surgeons
Our cardiac surgery training program is known as one of the best in the country. We train our surgeons in every form of heart surgery: open surgery, robotic surgery and catheter-based surgery. Our trainees learn to collaborate with cardiologists, electrophysiologists and vascular surgeons. This approach guarantees they have the skills to provide the right treatment for each patient.
Compassionate Care Through the Entire Cardiac Surgery Journey
From initial consultation to recovery care, your dedicated care team at Penn Medicine is with you every step of the way.
We know that hearing that you need cardiac surgery can be overwhelming. Our team is here to answer your questions, listen to your concerns and help you schedule your appointments and follow-ups.
During your surgery, a dedicated staff of cardiac surgeons, cardiac anesthesiologists, specially trained nurses and advanced practitioners, and support staff will help care for you during the procedure. We collaborate on a detailed process to eliminate complications and ensure patients and their families receive the necessary education and support.
After surgery is complete, patients receive 24 hours a day care in Penn Medicine’s specialized heart surgery intensive care units by specially trained cardiac critical care anesthesiologists and cardiac nurses who support attending physicians in delivering skilled, compassionate care day and night. Additionally, the cardiac intensive care unit (ICU) at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania is one of the largest in the region.
After your surgery, our team of outpatient cardiac rehabilitation experts can help you recover in a safe, supported environment. We help you gradually regain your strength through gentle exercises.
Learn more about post-op cardiac rehabilitation at Penn Medicine
Request an Appointment
To make an appointment, please call 800-789-7366 or request a callback.