Advanced Mitral Valve Repairs to Treat Rare Diseases

RENOWNED CENTER OF EXCELLENCE

The HVI’s CTS has developed a widespread reputation for performing groundbreaking, minimally invasive, and robotic valve and bypass techniques such as sternal-sparing mitral and tricuspid valve repair and replacement procedures, hybrid robotic coronary revascularization, coronary artery bypass grafting, endocarditis, reoperative surgeries, and procedures to treat thoracic aortic aneurysms.
Cardiothoracic surgeons at TGH are pioneers in their field and fellowship trained by some of the most respected medical institutions in the U.S. Dr. Lucian Lozonschi, Director of the Cardiothoracic Surgery Center, was among the first physicians in the U.S. to perform hybrid coronary revascularization. In addition, our hybrid arrhythmia program with the Electro-physiology Center offers more options for patients with complex arrhythmias.

HIGH VOLUME OF COMPLEX SURGERIES

Often, patients turned away by other hospitals receive their life-saving procedures and surgeries at TGH. As a result, our cardiothoracic surgeons are experts in performing high-risk procedures to treat some of the most complex cardiovascular cases. There are only select number of academic medical centers that perform surgeries matching the complexity of those performed at TGH. This translates to a level of expertise that is unmatched by a good majority of medical centers in the U.S.

UNIQUE EXPERTISE IN MITRAL VALVE REPAIR 

The HVI is the only center in Florida to offer true keyhole robotic cardiac surgery, and one of a handful in the nation. Patients with mitral valve prolapse, including Barlow’s mitral valve disease, benefit greatly from this level of expertise. This rare, degenerative mitral valve disease causes prolapse into the left atrium. Using a minimally invasive, video-assisted robotic technique, our cardiothoracic surgeons can repair or replace the valve flaps, giving patients better outcomes than with an open-heart approach or any existing minimally invasive approach.

SPECIALIZING IN COMBINED MINIMALLY INVASIVE PROCEDURES: TAVR AND HYBRID ROBOTIC CORONARY REVASCULARIZATION

Interventional cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons at the HVI are leaders in the field of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures combined with robotic minimally invasive coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) procedures using LIMA to LAD instead of open-heart surgeries. This approach results in excellent outcomes with shorter recovery times.

AMONG THE MOST ACTIVE CARDIOGENIC SHOCK PROGRAMS

TGH was second in the state and among the top hospitals in the Southeast region in volume of Impella device implantations in 2022. The Impella ventricular assist device provides a stable platform for patients suffering from acute cardiogenic shock or post-surgical heart failure. These temporary support devices allow patients adequate support for several weeks to months as a bridge to recovery or to other therapies, such as heart transplant and durable left ventricular assist devices.

Surgical Director of Mechanical Circulatory Support, Dr. Swaroop Bommareddi is a renowned expert in his field and one of the most active users of Impella devices in the U.S.

AMBULATORY INTRA-AORTIC BALLOON PUMP (IABP) THERAPY

Our Institute is one of few to walk patients receiving intra-aortic balloon pump therapy (IABP) for cardiogenic shock while awaiting heart transplant or recovering from major cardiothoracic surgery. Ambulation as part of early physical and occupational therapy is instrumental in these very sick patients, and improves overall outcomes.

MINDFULNESS STRESS-REDUCTION THERAPY

The HVI’s brand new Mindfulness Stress Reduction Therapy Program is unique to the region and the state. Before patients undergo surgery, they are encouraged to practice mental stress reduction techniques which are continued after surgery and combined with cardiac rehabilitation. This results in less pain medication use after surgery but also offers a holistic approach to mental and physical recalibration after cardiac surgery and for the remainder of the patient’s life.