Want more information on valvular heart disease and surgical options for this condition? Watch Dr. Nene in the video above.

Heart Surgery

Heart surgery is a necessary treatment for certain heart disease. At The Medical Center of Aurora, our heart surgeons perform more than 450 heart surgeries each year and have some of the lowest complication rates in the state.

Conditions that may Require Heart Surgery

• Aneurysms
• Atrial Fibrillation
• Atrial Septal Defect
• Coronary artery disease
• Heart Attack
• Valve Disease

Heart Surgery Procedures

• Aneurysm Repair
• Maze Surgery for Atrial Fibrillation
• Atrial Septal Defect
• Carotid Endarterectomy
• Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) (watch a video)
• Endovascular Repair
• Valve Repair/Replacement
• Vascular Surgery

Robotic-Assisted Heart Surgery

Robotic-assisted surgery involves a surgeon operating a robot. The surgeon works a control panel to operate the robot's micro tools using his hands and feet. Robotic equipment is very exact, and the incisions are much smaller. This offers several advantages:

• Less pain following the surgery
• Less risk for bacterial infection
• Faster recovery

Cardiac Assist Devices

We use the TandemHeart® VAD in emergency situations for short-term cardiac support. The TandemHeart® is inserted by either a cardiovascular surgeon or a cardiologist. The device assists the heart with pumping blood in order to stabilize the patient, save vital organs and give the damaged heart time to heal while the physicians determine the next course of treatment.