Heart Surgery

What should you look for in a heart surgery team? Experience is key, along with a safe surgical process that unites every team member both in and out of the operating room. Rochester Regional Health’s heart surgery team will do everything necessary to serve you. Our record of excellence is proven, and we are committed to the tireless pursuit of new ideas that inspire even greater future outcomes for our patients.

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High Volumes, Top Outcomes

The cardiothoracic surgeons at Rochester Regional Health perform more than 800 surgeries each year, making the Sands-Constellation Heart Institute the fourth-largest cardiac surgery center in New York State. 

National Reputation

Our heart surgery program is recognized regionally and nationally for superior performance, including a ranking as the state’s top hospital for Major Cardiac Surgery and Heart Attack Treatment by CareChex/Comparion; nine annual designations as a national Top 100 Cardiovascular Hospital by Thomson/Reuters; and Healthgrades awards for both Five Start Treatment of Heart Attack and Five Star Treatment of Heart Failure in 2020. 

The Cleveland Clinic Partnership

For more than a decade, Rochester Regional Health has had a designated Cleveland Clinic Heart Surgery Center at Rochester General Hospital. This partnership is dedicated to mutual learning and sharing best practices, giving our local providers special access to leading-edge techniques and research.

Heart Surgery Procedures 

The most common cardiac surgery procedures fall into a few common categories.  

• Atrial Septal Defect Repair - Performed to fix a lack of tissue between the upper two heart chambers.
• Bentall Procedures - Performed for patients in need of a new aortic valve, in addition to the replacement of the ascending aorta or aortic root.
• Coronary Artery Bypass - Restores normal blood flow to the heart muscle. A vein from your leg or chest may be used to create a bypass for the blocked coronary artery.
• Pacemaker or Defibrillator Insertion - These electronic devices are used to establish a normal heartbeat for patients with heart disease. 
• Pulmonary Autograft - Also known as the Ross Procedure, we replace the aortic valve with your own pulmonary valve and then replace your original pulmonary valve with a cadaveric pulmonary valve.
• Pulmonary Endarterectomy – Also known as PEA, we remove old blood clots from the pulmonary arteries in your lungs.
• Septal Myectomy for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy – A surgical procedure that is performed to reduce the muscle thickening that occurs in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
• Ventricular Assist Device – Commonly called VADs, these mechanical pumps are used to support heart function and blood flow in people with weakened hearts.
• Valve Repair & Replacement - Restores normal valve function to the four valves of the heart.

Highly Skilled Surgeons

Our cardiothoracic surgical teams are among the most experienced and highly trained in the country. These talented specialists are committed to providing the very best care and helping you or your loved one enjoy a longer, healthier life.