HealthONE's patients receive high-quality care from our team of heart surgeons and cardiac specialists. They use a research-focused approach to the care and treatment of common and complex heart conditions. By implementing innovative technology and advancements in surgical techniques, our heart doctors strive to improve the health of each patient.

To learn more about HealthONE's heart surgery services, call (303) 575-0055.

Conditions that may require heart surgery

There are a number of heart conditions that may need to be treated with heart surgery, including:

  • Aneurysms
  • Aortic disease
  • Atrial fibrillation (AFib)
  • Atrial septal defect
  • Cardiomyopathy
  • Congenital (present at birth) heart disease
  • Coronary heart disease
  • Heart attack
  • Heart failure
  • Valve disease

Heart surgeries we perform

Surgical procedures we perform to treat heart diseases and disorders include:

  • Aneurysm repair
  • Atrial septal defect
  • Cardioversion (for AFib)
  • Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)
  • Carotid endarterectomy
  • Endovascular repair
  • Maze surgery (for AFib)
  • Peripheral stenting
  • Valve repair/replacement
  • Vascular surgery, including stenting

Advanced heart surgery

When the heart is no longer functioning properly, and non-invasive methods such as medication management have not been effective, heart surgery may be necessary. Our cardiovascular surgeons provide access to advanced heart surgery to help patients regain heart health.

Treatments for heart disease

In addition to performing routine heart surgeries, our patients have access to new and innovative therapies to treat heart disease, including:

  • Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for heart disease: The ECMO machine is used when the heart cannot pump enough blood to the body. If a patient is suffering from heart failure, the ECMO pump can be lifesaving.
  • Left ventricular assistive device (LVAD): Inserted into the left ventricle of the heart, the LVAD is used as a bridge-to-transplant for patients waiting for a heart transplant. It may also be used as destination therapy, which provides long-term heart support for patients who are not candidates for a heart transplant.
  • Mechanical cardiovascular support: We use one of the world’s smallest mechanical cardiovascular support systems, a type of assistive device, that sustains a weak heart by pumping oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body.
  • Minimally invasive mitral valve repair: Transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR) is used to treat mitral regurgitation. This is particularly for patients with severe degenerative mitral regurgitation who are too high-risk for open-heart surgery.
  • Patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure: A PFO closure is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a catheter to insert a special device to close the hole in the heart and stop abnormal blood flow. As an added benefit, compared to open-heart surgery, a PFO closure procedure does not require extensive rehabilitation.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR)

At Swedish Medical Center, we are proud to offer TAVR, a procedure that can provide relief to patients who have aortic stenosis but are too high-risk for open-heart surgery. To ensure this innovative procedure is as effective as possible, we use a multi-disciplinary team approach. This means our cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons—who are specially trained to perform aortic valve replacement—are actively involved in your care.

Candidates for TAVR

TAVR is an excellent option for those patients with advanced aortic stenosis who are too high-risk for open-heart surgery.

Our cardiac professionals can assess whether each individual patient meets the criteria. They will use a series of heart imaging tests performed over the course of several days. Tests may include: computed tomography (CT) scans, an echocardiogram and a diagnostic heart catheter to examine your arteries.

How the TAVR procedure works

During a TAVR procedure, a sheath and balloon are placed in the aortic valve. The balloon is inflated to open the narrowed valve, expanding the new valve into place. The balloon is then deflated and removed, and echocardiograms are used to test the valve for proper placement. Each patient is unique, and we size every replacement valve to your exact dimensions prior to surgery.

Patients coming to us for TAVR are admitted the same day as their procedure. Blood flow and velocity often improve immediately after surgery, with patients typically noticing improved circulation within 24-48 hours.

TAVR vs. open-heart surgery

In surgical aortic valve replacement, the damaged aortic valve is removed through open-heart surgery and replaced by a mechanical or biological valve. Unlike open-heart surgery, TAVR does not remove the existing valve. Instead, it inserts a new aortic valve with the assistance of a catheter, offering a less invasive method of treatment.

Additionally, TAVR procedures use conscious sedation (rather than general anesthesia) and does not impact the chest bones. This makes the average length of stay significantly shorter—approximately two to three days versus four to eight days for open-heart surgery.

Cardiac rehabilitation

Your relationship with The Heart and Vascular Center does not end after your surgery or treatment. Our dedicated on-site cardiac rehabilitation program provides individualized treatment plans for each of our cardiac patients. This program is available three days a week, with extended hours, to accommodate your schedule.