Cardiothoracic Surgery: Delivering Leading Edge Techniques and High-Quality Outcomes

Consistently recognized as one of the top cardiac surgery centers in the country, the Heart Center at Lankenau Hospital delivers innovative, pioneering treatments and procedures to the Delaware Valley. Our surgeons are trailblazers, enhancing patient care through quality initiatives and progressive technologies, along with basic research, access to clinical trials, and training the physicians of tomorrow.

Beating Heart Surgery: Our Numbers Speak for Themselves
Lankenau's aggressive implementation of off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery, known as beating heart surgery, and other quality initiatives, have produced a significant decrease in mortality rates, length of stay, and strokes related to surgery. Under the direction of Francis Sutter, DO, FACS, Lankenau's Chief of Cardiac Surgery, beating heart surgery is the standard of care at Lankenau, and is utilized for 98 percent of patients - nearly five times the national average.

The Surgery
During off-pump coronary artery bypass procedures, the heart beats normally while the surgeon bypasses or detours the blocked arteries with an artery or vein - endoscopically removed from the arm, leg, or chest wall - that brings fresh blood flow to the heart muscle. Thus, avoiding the need to stop the heart and circulate the blood with a heart lung machine.

The effects.
Benefits for patients include greater strength and alertness resulting in quicker recovery, and shorter hospital stays. Our standard of care process begins in the operating room where we closely manage the patient's pain and temperature. As a result, our patients need less time with assisted breathing (78% have their breathing tube removed in the operating room), awaken quicker and brighter, are able to eat and get out of bed the same day - usually within four hours.

The results.
At Lankenau, patients having coronary artery bypass surgery show a mortality rate of 1.2 percent, compared with 2.4 percent nationally. Cases of surgery-related stroke are 0.6 percent, nearly half the national average of 1.4 percent.

The numbers.
In 2003, Lankenau ranked among the top ten hospitals in the state for volume and Dr. Sutter ranked third in procedures performed. Research shows that centers and surgeons performing the most cardiac cases tend to have the best outcomes.

Mitral Valve Prolapse: A Common Heart Condition Now Has an Easier Cure Scott Goldman, MD, Chairman of the Main Line Health Department of Surgery provides information on diagnosing Mitral Valve Prolapse and the leading-edge techniques provided by Main Line Health Heart Center surgeons to repair the valve. View Article.

"Beating Heart" Bypass Surgery Francis Sutter, DO, Chief of Cardiac Surgery, provides information on off-pump coronary artery bypass and the benefits of this cutting-edge surgery. View Article.