Cardiothoracic Surgery

Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a type of arrhythmia, or problem with heart rhythm. AFib can weaken the heart and lead to stroke or congestive heart failure. The right procedure can help restore proper heart rhythm.

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In coronary artery bypass surgery, a cardiac surgeon uses a portion, or graft, of a patient's veins or arteries to create a new source of blood flow around blocked coronary arteries.

On-Pump Bypass Surgery

A cardiac surgeon opens the chest, stops the heart and places the patient on a heart-lung machine while the operation takes place.

Off-Pump Surgery

Requires minimal access and allows a cardiac surgeon to operate directly on the beating heart.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a minimally invasive, catheter-based technique to replace a damaged aortic valve.

St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center® performs more TAVR procedures than any other hospital on Long Island.

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Heart valve disease has potentially serious consequences for heart function, often blocking or reversing the natural flow of blood through the heart. To treat valve disease, surgeons either repair the patient's valve or replace it with a tissue or mechanical valve.

Minimally invasive techniques are the preferred approach to valve repair surgery for patients who meet the criteria.

The Ross Procedure (Pulmonary Autograft Operation) is a surgical procedure used for treatment of aortic valve disease. Good Samaritan Hospital (West Islip, NY) is the only hospital on Long Island performing this advanced procedure.

During the procedure, the surgeon removes the diseased aortic valve and replaces it with the patient’s own pulmonary valve. A donor valve is then used to replace the pulmonary valve. The pulmonary valve rapidly adapts to this new role and provides the patient with a durable valve replacement, not requiring of blood thinners, that is conducive to an active lifestyle.  

The Ross Procedure is a highly technical operation, generally reserved for otherwise healthy and active patients under 60 years of age. It is also a good option for patients wishing to avoid anticoagulation, those who plan to have children, and patients with small aortic valves or patient/prosthesis mismatch from prior aortic valve operations.  

Studies have found that patients undergoing The Ross Procedure experience long term wellness, akin to those without aortic valve disease. Rates of re-operation are low and rare within the first two decades after surgery.

What to Expect During a Ross Procedure

The Ross Procedure is an open-heart operation performed through a traditional incision in the chest.  During the procedure, the patient is supported on a heart lung machine. The patient’s aortic valve is removed and the pulmonary valve is prepared for placement in the aortic position. Fine sutures are then used to anchor the new aortic valve into place. Aneurysms of the aorta are typically treated during the same procedure.  

After surgery the patient will typically spend one to two days in our dedicated ICU for open heart surgery patients. An additional 3-5 days are spent in the hospital as medications are carefully adjusted. Patients are discharged home in most cases and recovery is complete within six weeks. Following their recovery, patients are able to return to a normal active life with no need for long term blood thinning medications.