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Open Heart Surgery At Jupiter Medical Center

The Heart and Vascular Institute at Jupiter Medical Center offers open heart surgery as part of our world-class comprehensive cardiovascular services.

Many heart conditions must be treated with open heart surgery. Our cardiac surgery team specializes in the safest and most advanced techniques that reduce recovery times and provide the best possible outcomes.

Introducing Dr. Arthur Katz, Cardiothoracic Surgeon

Jupiter Medical Center’s open heart surgery program is led by Arthur Katz, M.D. Dr. Katz is a graduate of New York Medical College and completed his cardiac surgery fellowship at NYU Medical Center.

Dr. Katz is highly regarded as a national leader in “off-pump” coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) to treat coronary artery disease. He has performed approximately 2,000 off-pump bypass surgeries during his career. With more than 25 years of experience, Dr. Katz has expertise in performing a wide range of complex cardiac surgeries: Off-pump/beating heart bypass surgery (OPCAB), mitral valve repair and reconstruction, ablative surgery for atrial fibrillation, aortic valve replacement, surgery of the ascending aorta and aortic root, re-operative surgery, surgery of the tricuspid valve, excision of cardiac tumors and repair of atrial septal defect.

In addition to his expertise and experience in advanced cardiothoracic surgical techniques, Dr. Katz is known for providing personalized care and compassion to each patient and their family. He remains current in exploring innovations in surgical technology and techniques to best serve his patients. His dedication to helping his patients restore their health and well-being is unwavering.

What is Open Heart Surgery?

Open heart surgery is a major operation. The typical hospital stay is 5 to 7 days. To access the heart, the cardiac surgeon will make an incision along the middle of the chest. New surgical techniques may allow for smaller incisions. Immediately after surgery, the patient is transferred to the cardiovascular surgical intensive care unit. Here they receive highly specialized, top quality care from specially trained ICU nurses. The cardiovascular ICU is equipped with modern state-of-the-art equipment and technology. Phase one cardiac rehabilitation is initiated the day after surgery. The robust cardiac rehab services continue throughout the hospital stay and are available on an outpatient basis postoperatively to help you progress in your recovery.

When is Open Heart Surgery Recommended?

Open heart surgery is used to treat problems of the coronary arteries, heart valves, cardiac conduction system, cardiac tumors and to repair aortic aneurysms.

  • Open heart surgery may be needed to:
  • Treat totally obstructed or blocked coronary arteries of the heart, a procedure called coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).
  • Repair or replace faulty heart valves.
  • Repair a dilatation of the large artery (aorta) that leads away from the heart.
  • Treat cardiac arrhythmias not amenable to therapy by our electrophysiologists.
  • Remove cardiac tumors.

The most common reason for open heart surgery is to perform coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Over 200,000 CABG procedures are performed annually in the United States. The CABG procedure involves harvest of a healthy artery or vein from another part of the body and rerouting it beyond where the blockage is. The bypass operation may result in improvement of cardiac function, the alleviation of symptoms and improvement in the quality and length of life.

Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (OPCAB) at Jupiter Medical Center

CABG may be performed on-pump or off-pump. On-pump bypass surgery is the traditional technique that is used. This entails the use of a cardiopulmonary bypass or a heart-lung machine. During the surgery, the heart is stopped and the heart-lung machine takes over the job of pumping blood to the brain and body as well as removing carbon dioxide from the blood and replenishing it with oxygen.

During off-pump bypass surgery, a heart-lung machine is not used. The heart continues to beat throughout the entire operation. OPCAB is also referred to as “beating heart bypass surgery.” This technique utilizes a stabilization device that allows the surgeon to work in a still field so that a precise bypass graft can be constructed.

The heart literally does not miss a beat and pumps blood to the body during the entire operation. Not all cardiac surgeons perform off-pump procedures. Nationwide, only 18% of CABG operations are performed off-pump. Only surgeons with highly specialized training and experience offer off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery.

Decades of research has shown that CABG is a very safe and effective procedure in improving the length and quality of life in patients with coronary artery disease. Your surgeon will consider a number of factors including your overall health, age and heart condition when recommending CABG.

Open Heart Surgery to Repair or Replace Heart Valves

Jupiter Medical Center’s Heart and Vascular Institute offers treatment for numerous other heart conditions that may require open heart surgery. This includes repair or replacement of heart valves that open and close to ensure that blood flows in the right direction.

The heart has four valves: the tricuspid valve and pulmonary valve on the right side of the heart, the mitral valve and the aortic valve on the left side of the heart. In heart valve disease, one or more of the heart valves does not open or close properly.

  • Heart valve problems may include:
  • Regurgitation, in which the valve flaps (called leaflets) do not close or approximate properly, causing blood to leak backward into the wrong heart chamber.
  • Stenosis, in which the valve leaflets become thick or stiff. This results in the leaflets not opening wide enough, causing restriction of blood flow across the valve.

Both conditions (regurgitation and stenosis) can result in heart failure. Treatment for the valvular heart disease depends on the presence of symptoms or the severity of the valvular abnormality. Jupiter Medical Center’s cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. Arthur Katz, has extensive experience in repair, reconstruction and replacement of the heart valves. The aortic, mitral and tricuspid valves are the valves that most commonly requiring open heart surgery.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)

Jupiter Medical Center’s cardiovascular team will soon be offering transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), a less invasive procedure to replace a narrowed aortic valve. Instead of requiring a chest incision, the valve is inserted into the aortic position on a balloon catheter via the femoral artery in the leg.

Aortic Aneurysm Surgery at Jupiter Medical Center

The aorta is the main artery that carries oxygen-rich blood away from the heart. The aorta begins at the aortic valve and extends into the pelvis.

An aortic aneurysm is a dilatation or enlargement (swelling) of the aorta. Aortic aneurysm may be caused by plaque buildup (atherosclerosis), uncontrolled high blood pressure, trauma or certain inherited conditions, and may be associated with congenital abnormalities such as bicuspid aortic valves or narrowing of the aorta. When the aneurysm reaches a certain size, it can tear or rupture, resulting in a life-threatening situation.

To prevent this complication, intervention becomes necessary. Open heart surgery is required to repair aneurysms of the first part of the aorta called the ascending aorta. This surgery involves removing the weakened tissue and replacing it with a synthetic graft. Stenting of an aortic aneurysm is often possible for other parts of the aorta in the chest and abdomen. An expert team of physicians is available at Jupiter Medical Center to treat all of these conditions.