When you have a heart condition, surgery may be recommended as part of your care plan. Cardiovascular surgeons and interventional cardiologists at Ascension Saint Thomas Heart 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.
Each appointment starts with a conversation between you and your heart surgeon. We listen to your concerns and answer your questions. Then, we work with you on a surgical care plan that’s right for you – from surgery to recovery and cardiac rehabilitation.
We specialize in heart procedures to:
- Bypass damaged arteries and graft new ones into the heart (CABG and robotic surgery)
- Repair damage from a heart trauma or a hole in the heart
- Replace or repair a leaky heart valve with robotic surgery (mitral valve, aortic valve and tricuspid valve))
- Restore normal heart rhythm due to chronic AFib
- Treat a heart infection
With cardiologists and surgeons trained in the latest heart care testing, treatment and procedures, you are connected to advanced heart care close to home.
A multispecialty team, dedicated to your heart care
When you choose Ascension Saint Thomas Heart 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. Your specialists and care team collaborate, working together with you and for you.
Minimally invasive surgery may be an option for your care, often meaning a shorter recovery time and lower risk of infection. If open-heart surgery is recommended as part of your care plan, our surgeons have the expertise to provide the advanced heart care you need. Together, your team of doctors delivers advanced heart and vascular care to help improve your heart function.
Meet the surgical team
Nashville:
Murfreesboro:
Specialists in robotic heart surgery
Heart surgeons at Ascension Saint Thomas Heart specialize in robotic surgery to treat heart valve disorders, atrial fibrillation(AFib), coronary artery disease (CAD) and congenital heart conditions. Robotic surgery is minimally invasive and does not require large incisions to the breastbone or rib cage. Your surgeon uses a small camera and robotic arms to make tiny incisions between your ribs to reach your heart. This may help lower your risk of infection, reduce scarring and help shorten your hospital stay. Ascension Saint Thomas Heart is a leader in robotic surgeries in the country. Our heart surgery care team, that performs robotic surgery, includes:
The cardiac team at Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital West received the Mitral Valve Repair Reference Center Award from the American Heart Association and the Mitral Foundation for excellence in mitral valve repair surgery. Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital also earned the exclusive “High Performing” status in all cardiac categories, including aortic valve surgery, heart bypass surgery and TAVR. Ascension Saint Thomas Heart is the only medical center in the state to achieve the highest quality (3-star rating) designation by STS/ACC TVT Registry, a collaboration between the Society of Thoracic Surgeons and the American College of Cardiology, for TAVR procedures.
Get a second opinion from a cardiovascular surgeon
Get the confidence and peace of mind that your doctor and cardiovascular care plan is right for you. It's easy to get a second opinion at Ascension Saint Thomas Heart. We can review your medical records and healthcare history to answer your questions and discuss options for heart surgery. Talk with one of our doctors about a personalized heart care plan.
When you are facing a new diagnosis or are deciding on a surgical treatment plan, there’s a lot to think about. If you are looking for a second opinion for advanced heart care, our cardiologists can also connect you with the right specialists for minimally invasive surgery, including TAVR, CABG, and ablation. Our heart and vascular specialists can provide a second opinion, based on our experience and as part of a national care team.
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 that they can be shared with your care team before your arrival.
GET A SECOND OPINION - NASHVILLE
GET A SECOND OPINION - MURFREESBORO
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 develop an individualized care plan. For more information, please call our referral line in Nashville at 615-222-5500 and Murfreesboro at 615-396-6829.
Clinical trials and research
Ascension Saint Thomas Heart is committed to equitably advancing the health and wellness of the patients and communities we serve through discovery, continuous improvement, and care transformation. Learn more about how researchers at Ascension Saint Thomas are working together to advance patient care through clinical trials.
