Cardiac Surgery

Our surgeons have been among the first to introduce new heart surgery techniques to Nashville and the surrounding areas. We are highly experienced in using the daVinci robot.  This robotically assisted and minimally invasive technique reduces scarring, blood loss and length of stay – which allows patients to recover much sooner.

Centennial Heart Center handles even the most complex operations with success rates above the national average. Centennial Heart Center is in the top 3% of heart programs nationally based on number of surgeries performed and clinical outcomes and has earned The Society of Thoracic Surgeons’ top quality ranking.

Our surgeons work with the newest surgical techniques, equipment and devices, including minimally invasive surgery, off-pump bypass, robotically assisted and percutaneous procedures, and can perform virtually every type of cardiac surgery, including:

• Coronary artery bypass surgery:
  • Coronary artery bypass grafts (CABG )
  • On pump bypass surgery
  • Off pump bypass surgery –“beating heart” surgery done without heart/lung machine
  • Robotically-assisted totally endoscopic coronary bypass (TECAB)
  • Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB)
  • Transmyocardial Laser Revascularization (TMR) – for inoperable coronary artery disease patients
  • All arterial grafting (LIMA/RIMA)
• Heart valve surgery:
  • Valve repair surgery
  • Valve replacement surgery
  • Robotically assisted
  • Robotic artificial chordal repair
• Surgical treatment for atrial fibrillation:
  • Maze procedure
  • “Mini-Maze”
  • Robotically assisted mini maze
• Surgical procedures to treat heart failure:
  • Left ventricular reconstructive surgery (Dor Procedure)
  • Temporary ventricular assist device
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy surgery (HOCM)
• Aortic surgery
• Connective tissue disorder surgery (Marfan syndrome)

Comprehensive Valve Program

Centennial Heart Center’s comprehensive valve program features cardiac surgeons who are pioneers in this field and can often offer surgical solutions that are not available at most hospitals. For example, our cardiac surgeons aim to repair malfunctioning heart valves before opting for total valve replacement. 

Heart valve problems that benefit from surgery include congenital valve disorders, leaky valves that don't close properly (regurgitation), infected valves and narrowed valves that don't open correctly (stenosis). Many options exist for the best outcome, including:

• Mitral valve repair and aortic valve repair
• Stentless valves
• Ross procedure
• Minimally invasive valve surgery
• Robotic valve procedures
• Mitral chordal repair
• Repair of congenital valve disorders
• Mechanical heart valve replacement
• Biological heart valve replacement
• Tissue heart valve replacement

Our cardiac surgeons regularly take on challenging cases, such as those that involve the repair or replacement of multiple valves or operations to correct unsuccessful valve surgeries. Many of our patients are considered high risk, including people who have had several prior heart surgeries, those with pre-existing medical conditions, elderly and overweight individuals, and people who have been turned down for heart surgery at other hospitals. While we routinely care for high-risk patients, our team welcomes any patient with a heart valve problem that can benefit from surgery.

Thoracic Surgery

Centennial Heart Center thoracic surgeons utilize a variety of procedures to treat diseases of the lung and esophagus, including lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung failure, esophageal cancer, Barrett's esophagus, achalasia, thoracic outlet syndrome and hyperhidrosis.

Vascular/Endovascular Surgery

Our vascular surgeons provide comprehensive services for all types of peripheral vascular disorders, including carotid artery disease, aortic aneurysms  and poor circulation to the legs and the abdominal organs. We utilize new catheter-based intervention technology as well as traditional surgical treatment for aneurysms, obstructive arterial disease and peripheral vascular disease. Common procedures include:

• Atherectomy using the FoxHollow device
• Carotid stenting
• Endovascular stent grafts for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA)