Cardiac surgery

Opens narrowed or blocked coronary arteries, often using a small balloon and stent to restore blood flow.

Redirects blood flow around blocked coronary arteries using a healthy blood vessel from another part of the body.

Uses a thin, flexible tube inserted into a blood vessel to diagnose and, in some cases, treat heart conditions.

Repairs or replaces a damaged aortic valve to improve blood flow from the heart.

Repairs or replaces a damaged mitral valve to help restore normal blood flow through the heart.

A minimally invasive procedure that uses a small clip to help repair a leaking mitral valve without open-heart surgery.

Replaces a narrowed aortic valve using a catheter-based procedure, typically without open-heart surgery.

Uses open-heart surgical techniques to repair or replace damaged heart valves when a traditional approach is the most appropriate treatment.

Uses a small surgical clip to close off the left atrial appendage, which may help reduce stroke risk in certain patients with atrial fibrillation.

Combines minimally invasive surgery with catheter-based ablation to treat persistent or advanced atrial fibrillation (AFib). Roper Hospital is one of only two hospitals in South Carolina offering this procedure.

Targets the heart tissue responsible for abnormal electrical signals to help restore a normal heart rhythm.

Places an electronic device to help regulate the heartbeat and treat certain abnormal heart rhythms.

Creates a pattern of scar tissue in the heart to block abnormal electrical signals and treat atrial fibrillation (AFib).

Closes an opening in the wall between the heart's upper chambers to improve circulation.

Corrects structural heart defects present at birth, including openings or abnormalities that affect how blood flows through the heart.

Seals a small opening between the heart's upper chambers to help reduce the risk of recurrent stroke in appropriately selected patients.

Repairs a weakened or enlarged section of the aorta to help prevent a potentially life-threatening rupture.

Places a wireless monitoring sensor, such as CardioMEMS™, to track pressure changes and help clinicians identify worsening heart failure earlier.

Traditionally, CABG surgery was performed after doctors stopped a patient’s heart and placed them on a machine that took over the work of their heart and lungs. Operating on a non-beating heart made the procedure easier to complete. Today, in many cases, surgeons operate without a heart-lung machine. Although beating heart surgery isn’t right for everyone, for some patients it may reduce the risk of complications and lead to quicker recovery.

Open-heart surgery typically takes 3 to 6 hours, though complex procedures may take longer. There is additional time preparing for surgery and recovering from anesthesia.

Our heart surgery team uses a minimally invasive approach whenever possible. These techniques can help improve recovery time and reduce your hospital stay. Most of our patients go home within a day or two of the procedure.

Minimally invasive and transcatheter treatments use small incisions to access your heart valves and arteries. We make these incisions on the side of the chest or abdomen. We can also access the heart using catheters, which we insert into an artery in the wrist or groin. Our highly skilled surgeons then use small tools and imaging to perform the surgery.

Because minimally invasive procedures don’t need a large chest incision, most of our patients can go home a day or two after surgery. Recovery time is also shorter, which means you can return to normal activities faster.

Your hospital stay will depend on the type of surgery you have and other factors, such as lab test results, vital signs and your activity level. With minimally invasive surgery, most of our patients go home within a day or two of their procedure. With traditional heart surgery, recovery time can take longer and you may spend several days to a week in the hospital. You may also receive close monitoring in the intensive care unit for a day or two before moving to a regular hospital room.

Cardiac surgery may cause considerable discomfort, but we work with you to manage your pain and keep you as comfortable as possible. Generally, pain is most noticeable in the first few days after your operation, but it gradually improves. If you experience discomfort, please let us know.

Your cardiac surgery team will review post-surgery restrictions and necessary precautions. There will be limits on how much you can lift and what activities you can participate in — at least temporarily. For some time, you will also need to be off work and avoid driving. These restrictions are intended to help you heal and ensure your recovery goes smoothly. 

Whether to have cardiac rehabilitation is a personal choice. However, it’s beneficial for patients who experience heart attacks or other heart problems and those who have major heart procedures or surgery. Heart doctors often recommend rehab to help you regain your strength and confidence, improve your heart health, and prevent future heart problems. 

 
Not sure if you qualify? Call us at (854) 214-2351