Heart surgeons in Savannah, Georgia

Memorial Health's team of heart and vascular surgeons work together to provide cutting-edge treatment options for all types of heart disease. From minimally invasive cardiac procedures to vascular disease treatment, we provide each patient with personalized care to meet their needs.

To learn more about the heart and vascular surgery services we provide, call (912) 350-BEAT (2328).

When you need advanced cardiology services for a heart condition, you can trust the team at the Memorial Health Heart and Vascular Institute. Our cardiothoracic surgeons perform a wide range of procedures using the latest surgical techniques.

Heart bypass surgery

Bypass surgery is an advanced surgical method that involves bypassing damaged or blocked arteries. We offer a number of options for patients in need of surgical bypass, such as:

  • Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)—This surgery restores or improves blood flow to the heart. It is typically performed when the coronary arteries have become blocked or narrowed.
  • Off-pump coronary artery bypass—This procedure provides the same treatment as a coronary artery bypass graft but without the use of a heart-lung machine. It is often referred to as "beating heart" surgery.
  • Arterial grafting—Arterial grafting uses arteries from elsewhere in the body as a viable graft to perform a CABG procedure. Grafts may come from the left internal mammary artery (LIMA) or right internal mammary artery (RIMA).
  • Minimally invasive coronary artery bypass graft (MICS CABG)—This type of CABG procedure is performed using only a few small incisions in the chest, instead of using large incisions to open the chest cavity. Minimally invasive surgery results in faster recovery and less scarring.
  • Hybrid procedures—During a hybrid procedure, patients receive the benefit of multiple surgeries while only having to undergo the surgical process once.

Heart valve conditions and surgery

At our Heart & Vascular Institute, we use surgical and minimally invasive procedures to repair, replace and treat the heart's valves. Valve surgery may be appropriate if you experience a condition affecting the mitral valve or aortic valve.

Mitral valve prolapse (MVP)

MVP is a common heart disorder that is usually benign. The mitral valve controls blood flow between the upper (atrium) and lower (ventricle) chambers on the left side of the heart.

Normally, blood should only flow in one direction—from the upper chamber into the lower chamber. In patients with MVP, the valve flaps don't work properly. Part of the valve balloons into the atrium, which may be associated with blood flowing in the wrong direction or leaking back into the atrium.

Mitral regurgitation occurs when your mitral valve’s two leaflets or flaps do not close properly and some blood flows backward through the valve into the left atrium. The left ventricle pumps harder to compensate and keep blood flowing through the body.

Transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR)

TMVR is performed on patients with severe mitral regurgitation. It is performed through a small puncture in the groin or upper thigh, where a catheter is inserted. Your surgeon will then guide the catheter into the left atrium and use it to attach a small metal clip or clips to the leaflets of the valve.

Although patients will need to remain in the hospital for one to two days, the actual procedure typically takes between two to three hours to complete. TMVR offers a much shorter recovery time than many other types of heart surgery.

Aortic stenosis

Aortic stenosis is a disorder of the aortic valve. It occurs when the top opening of the aortic valve narrows. When this happens, blood flow is restricted between the left ventricle and aorta.

As blood flow reduces, the heart has to work harder to pump blood to the rest of the body. This can weaken the heart and cause symptoms such as shortness of breath and chronic fatigue. Patients with severe aortic stenosis may require surgery to replace or repair the damaged aortic valve.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR)

Although open-heart aortic valve replacement surgery is the gold standard treatment for severe aortic valve stenosis, there are patients who are not candidates for the procedure. They may be disqualified for open-heart surgery based on many factors, such as age or a history of heart disease. TAVR is performed on high-risk and previously inoperable patients with severe aortic stenosis

We perform TAVR through a small puncture in the groin or upper thigh where a catheter is inserted into the femoral artery. Your surgeon will guide a catheter to the diseased aortic valve. Next, a replacement valve is guided through the catheter and expanded into place. This allows blood to flow through the aortic valve naturally.

Although patients will need to remain in the hospital for a few days following the replacement, the actual procedure typically takes between one to two hours to complete. Like TMVR, TAVR has a much shorter recovery time when compared to other heart surgeries.

Aortic surgery

The aorta is the main artery that serves the heart and pumps blood throughout the body. We offer multiple treatment options for conditions affecting the aorta, including:

  • Aortic aneurysm repair—This procedure replaces the weakened area of the aorta with a graft. This may be the ascending aorta, aortic arch or thoracoabdominal aorta.
  • Endovascular open procedures—These minimally invasive procedures treat conditions affecting the blood vessels. This may include blockages, narrowing and aneurysms.
  • Repair of aortic dissection—This procedure removes damaged portions of the aorta and replaces them with grafts that are used to rebuild the aorta.

Vascular services we offer

We provide diagnostic and treatment services for patients with vascular diseases, such as peripheral artery disease and peripheral vascular disease.

Our vascular program focuses on providing patient education about how to reduce the risks associated with vascular disease through lifestyle changes.

Our vascular team is made up of:

  • Dedicated technologist and nurses
  • Family practitioners
  • General surgeons
  • Internists
  • Interventional radiologists
  • Neurosurgeons
  • Vascular surgeons

Vascular services we provide include:

  • Non-invasive vascular laboratory
  • Vascular interventional radiology
  • Vascular medicine
  • Vascular surgical services
  • Vascular ultrasound imaging