Choose a leader in heart surgery in Panama City
When you have a heart condition, surgery may be recommended as part of your care plan. The cardiovascular surgeons and interventional cardiologists at Ascension Sacred Heart Bay deliver surgical treatments to help open clogged arteries, restore blood flow to the heart, repair leaky heart valves, and more. Whenever possible, your doctor uses minimally invasive, catheter-based surgery. But sometimes open-heart surgery is recommended. As a leader in heart care, heart surgeons at Ascension Sacred Heart Bay perform the most cardiac surgeries and procedures in the region — from minimally invasive procedures to open-heart surgeries.
Every appointment starts with a conversation about how you are feeling, including new symptoms and concerns. Then, your heart surgeon will work with you to create a personalized surgical care plan — from surgery to recovery and cardiac rehabilitation. Your cardiologists are part of a national team of doctors who share best practices and research, and collaborate on advanced treatment options. And, with cardiology offices across Northwest Florida, you can expect supportive and compassionate heart care, close to home.
We specialize in heart procedures, including:
- Coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) to bypass damaged arteries and graft new ones into the heart
- Endovascular aortic aneurysm repairs
- Mitral and aortic valve repair
- Open clogged coronary arteries (angioplasty, with balloon or stent)
- Repairing damage from a heart trauma or a hole in the heart
- Replacing or repairing a leaky heart valve with a minimally invasive procedure (TAVR)
- Restoring normal heart rhythm due to chronic AFib
- Thoracic aortic repair
- Treating a heart infection
If surgery is recommended as part of your care plan, your doctor will use minimally invasive options whenever possible. During a minimally invasive procedure, tiny incisions are made. Minimally invasive surgery may shorten your recovery time and lower your risk of infection.
A multispecialty team, dedicated to your heart care
When you choose Ascension Sacred Heart Bay for your heart surgery, you have an experienced team dedicated to your care. Your multispecialty care team may include a cardiologist, cardiac surgeon, dietitian, nurse practitioner, social worker, and more.
Open-heart surgery recovery unit dedicated to your care
After surgery, you will recover in our dedicated open-heart surgery recovery unit with experienced specialists, cardiac nurses and care teams who use advanced technology to monitor your heart during recovery.
Once you are discharged, we’ll connect you with cardiac rehab, help you manage your medications, monitor your heart health over time and educate you on how to care for your health to help avoid a more serious condition.
Get a second opinion from a cardiovascular surgeon
When you are facing a new diagnosis or deciding on a surgical or therapeutic treatment plan, there’s a lot to think about. At Ascension Sacred Heart Bay, we make it easy for you to get a second opinion. Our specialists and care team can:
- Answer questions
- Connect you to heart and vascular specialists for minimally invasive surgery and open-heart surgery, including coronary bypass, transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), CABG and ablation
- Discuss options for restoring or correcting your heart’s rhythm
- Review your medical records and healthcare history
Before your appointment, check with your insurance company to find out if a second opinion is covered. We can request your medical records on your behalf, so they can be shared with your care team before your arrival.
Surgery care team at Ascension Sacred Heart Bay
Gregory England, MD
Cardiothoracic Surgery
Richard Eubanks, MD
Cardiothoracic Surgery
Amir Haghighat, MD
Interventional Cardiology, Cardiology
Samir Patel, MD
Interventional Cardiology, Cardiology
Nghia Hoang, DO
Cardiac Electrophysiology, Cardiology
Saeed Khaja, DO
Cardiac Electrophysiology, Cardiology
Timothy McShurley, MD
Interventional Cardiology, Cardiology
Ross Melvin, DO
Interventional Cardiology, Cardiology
Ajay Mhatre, MD
Interventional Cardiology, Cardiology
Joey Trantham, MD
Cardiac Electrophysiology, Interventional Cardiology, Cardiology
Refer your patient to a heart surgeon
Your patients can expect compassionate, personalized care from the moment our specialists connect with them. Our heart surgeons start by listening to fully understand your patient’s needs and to develop an individualized care plan.
Frequently asked questions about heart surgery
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What does heart surgery do?
Heart surgery is a medical procedure that helps repair problems with your heart. Your doctor may recommend surgery to repair or replace coronary arteries and heart valves, implant medical devices to improve an irregular heartbeat or repair damaged structures in the heart. Transplant is offered at some Ascension sites of care. Our transplant surgeons may replace a damaged heart with a healthy heart from a donor. Whenever possible, our heart surgeons deliver advanced surgical care from minimally invasive procedures to open-heart surgery.
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What are the different types of heart surgery?
Minimally invasive surgery, such as angioplasty, TAVR, MitraClip™, and stent placement, may be an option for your care. This type of surgery may mean a shorter recovery time and lower risk of infection. Sometimes your doctor may recommend open-heart surgery as the best option for your care plan. When you choose Ascension sites of care, your surgeons and care teams deliver a personalized surgical care plan. Your care from surgery to recovery and beyond is connected. Together, your team of doctors deliver advanced heart and vascular care to help improve your heart function.
Our cardiologists, heart surgeons and vascular specialists have expertise in the latest cardiovascular testing, treatments and procedures:
- Atrial fibrillation (AFib) ablation, cardioversion and WATCHMAN™
- Cardiac angioplasty and stent placement
- Heart valve replacement and repair (such as TAVR and MitraClip™)
- Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD)
- Open-heart surgery, such as coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), maze AFib surgery, ventricular assist device (VAD) and heart transplantation
- Structural heart damage repair, including aneurysm repair
Talk to your doctor about heart surgery options that are right for you.
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What is the most common heart surgery?
Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is the most common type of heart surgery done nationwide. At our surgical centers and hospitals, your heart surgeon may recommend CABG as part of your surgical care plan. During the surgery, your surgeon replaces a clogged coronary artery by taking a healthy artery or vein from elsewhere in your body. That artery is connected to the heart muscle to bypass the clogged artery. CABG can be done on one to four arteries to help improve heart function.
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What happens after heart surgery?
Recovery after heart surgery may be different for each person and type of surgery. Whenever possible, minimally invasive techniques may be used. Minimally invasive procedures may help shorten your recovery time and lower your risk of complications. For some conditions and types of surgeries, there may be a longer recovery. Some Ascension hospitals may have cardiac intensive care units and cardiac rehabilitation to support your care and recovery when needed. Talk with your doctor about your surgical care plan and ask questions about what you can expect and how to prepare for care at home and life after surgery.
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Is heart catheterization an open-heart surgery?
Cardiac catheterization, also called cardiac angiogram, is a minimally invasive surgical procedure, not an open-heart surgery. To reach the heart, your interventional cardiologist inserts a thin, flexible tube through an artery in the groin, arm or neck. This tube allows your doctor to check for partial or total blockages in the artery. During an angiogram catheterization, your doctor can also measure blood pressure within the heart and evaluate the blood flow through your heart’s chambers.
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How do I find a heart surgeon near me?
When you are facing a serious diagnosis or deciding on a surgical treatment plan, there is a lot to think about. If you are looking for a second opinion for advanced heart care, talk with one of our heart surgeons. Minimally invasive or open-heart surgery may be recommended as part of your care plan. Find a cardiothoracic surgeon.