The Cardiovascular Center at St. Joseph Hospital

Heart surgery

  • Coronary artery bypass surgery (including minimally-invasive procedures: off-pump and keyhole)

  • Repairs of other congenital and acquired adult defects

  • Valve repairs and replacements

  • Transmyocardial revascularization (TMR)
Cardiovascular Center Heart Surgery

Now in its seventh year, St. Joseph Hospital’s heart surgery program continues to offer the latest in bypass surgery techniques that reduce risk and speed recovery for patients.

St. Joseph was among the first hospitals in Western Washington to perform the "keyhole" heart bypass procedure, in which surgeons work on a beating heart through a small chest incision, without using a heart-lung machine ("pump").

 

Today, an exceptionally high percentage of bypass surgery patients at St. Joseph, seven out of 10, receive minimally-invasive surgery with either the smaller incision or the "off-pump" technique, or a combination of both.

 

Minimally invasive bypass surgery

Experience has demonstrated lower operative risk and faster recovery in these patients as compared to conventional coronary artery bypass. During traditional bypass surgery, the heart-lung machine pump takes over blood oxygenation and circulation while the heart is stopped. Using the pump, which is considered an invasive procedure, can increase the possibility of stroke and temporary brain impairment. So, if a patient meets criteria, surgery is performed on a beating heart without the use of the pump. This reduces risk of stroke.

Off-pump bypass surgery can be used in conjunction with the larger incision through the breastbone or with the smaller incision between ribs. With this minimally invasive technique, it is not unusual for bypass surgery patients to go home after only two days in the hospital, compared to five days for traditional bypass surgery.

If you have heart problems and think you may need heart surgery, ask your primary care physician for a referral to a cardiologist (the specialist in medical care of the heart). St. Joseph Hospital accepts referrals from all cardiologists.

Meet the cardiothoracic surgeons

For general information about cardiovascular disease, symptoms, risk factors, procedures and other online resources, click here.

Cardiovascular Services