Heart Surgery

890 W Faris Road Suite 550, Greenville, SC MAP
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The Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery of the GHS Heart & Vascular Institute has demonstrated high-volume, high-quality service. Using quality improvement methodologies and a team approach, the division has made measurable improvements.

The division participates in national initiatives to improve the quality of care for cardiac surgery patients. In recent years, our patient outcomes, as measured by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) national database, have been far better than predicted for our high-risk surgical population. Our surgeons are proficient at all state-of-the-art cardiothoracic surgical procedures, and we continue to explore new avenues to improve and expand the surgical services offered at GHS.

Providers

Gautam Bhatia, MD

Scott Johnson, MD, FACS

Christopher Wright, MD

An Extensive Array of Services

GHS’ Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery offers a wide breadth of procedures, including use of the latest techniques, prostheses and quality care protocols. Following is a summary of our services, protocols and physician and staff expertise:

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)
Valvular heart surgery using all types of prostheses, including free-style valves, for these procedures:
Aortic valve replacement (AVR)
Endoscopic vein harvesting (EVH)
Mitral valve replacement (MVR)
Ventricular assist devices
Complex mitral valve repair
- Minimal access valve surgery
- Aortic root replacement, including the Bentall procedure and valve-sparing procedures
- Surgery of the great vessels, including aortic arch procedures
- Transmyocardial laser revascularization (TMR)
- Surgical ventricular restoration (SVR)
- MAZE procedures (standard open and minimal access); national preceptor for minimal access MAZE
- Congenital cardiac surgery in adults, including procedures to treat the following:
- Atrial septal defects (ASD)
- Ventricular septal defects (VSD)
- Anomalous coronary anatomy
- Aortic coarctation
- Idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis
  - Surgical treatment of cardiac tumors
  - Implant of ventricular assist devices (LVAD/RVAD) and ECHMO as a bridge to recovery or transplant (affiliated with several transplant centers)
  - Non-cardiac thoracic surgery including minimal access video-assisted thoracoscopic procedures
  - Minimal access valve surgery and atrial fibrillation surgery
  - Dedicated cardiac anesthesia personnel in the OR
  - Critical-care physicians (intensivists) available 24/7 in cardiovascular intensive care unit (CVICU)
  - Nitric oxide protocols
  - Standardized protocols for pre-, intra- and postoperative care of patients, including the following:
  - Atrial fibrillation prevention
  - Antibiotic utilization
  - Glucose control
  - Secondary prevention measures

The Power of Collaboration

The high quality of cardiac and thoracic care at GHS comes not only from the expertise and experience of the cardiac surgical group but also from team management of patients among physicians specializing in cardiac surgery, anesthesiology, pulmonary/critical care and endocrinology.

Innovations

In the ever-evolving specialty of cardiothoracic surgery, GHS stays on the leading edge of best practices, new procedures and use of the latest equipment and technology. Following are some particularly noteworthy innovations that allow GHS surgeons to better approach high-risk cardiac surgery with improved outcomes.

Participation in National Initiatives

GHS’ Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery actively participates in many national quality initiatives, including the following:

STS National Database
CMS Quality Initiative (rated in the top 10% for quality, Designated Center of Excellence for CABG)
National Surgical Prevention Collaborative
Prevent IV Clinical Trial

For more information on cardiac surgery, or to refer a patient to the Cardiothoracic Surgery division, call (864) 455-6800.