Cardiac & Vascular Surgery
Washington Hospital has been a leader in surgical intervention and treatment
of adult heart disease for the last 20 years. The cardiac surgery program
focuses on a multidisciplinary approach to providing care for our patients.
The cardiac surgery program at Washington Hospital recognizes the importance
of meeting the needs of our patients. We have assembled a team of expert
health care providers that support and care for our patients and families.
The patient who has cardiac surgery at Washington Hospital will meet with
the cardiac surgeon, the anesthesiologist, our pre-operative staff, and
one of our cardiac rehabilitation nurses. Prior to surgery the patient
and his/her family will be interviewed and examined in order to plan for
their specific needs prior to, during and after surgery.
Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) Surgery
If one or more of your coronary arteries (the vessels that carry blood
to your heart muscle) are blocked, blood can’t flow to the heart
muscle. In this case, the heart muscle may die (heart attack). Coronary
artery bypass graft surgery creates a path for blood to flow around a
blockage through a blood vessel graft that restores blood flow to the heart.
Transcarotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR)
Carotid artery disease is a serious matter. Plaque build-up can block the
carotid arteries, which are the blood vessels that deliver blood to the
brain. The goal in treating is to prevent stroke.
Traditionally, there have been two approaches to treatment––carotid
endarterectomy, and carotid angioplasty and stenting. Both are significant
procedures. A few select hospitals, such as Washington Hospital, have
vascular surgeons with the training and experience to perform a hybrid
of these two traditional approaches.
It’s called a Transcarotid artery revascularization, or TCAR.
TCAR uses a different and safer approach to opening a blocked carotid artery.
One small incision is made above the collar bone and the surgeon is able
to access the carotid artery to clean the area and insert a stent. TCAR
outcomes are very good, with less pain and faster recovery times. Most
patients go home the following day.
TCAR is another example of why the Washington Hospital stroke and neuro
intervention programs are highly acclaimed.
Washington Hospital surgeons Gabriel Herscu, MD, and Sarah Wartman, MD,
both have special training in this minimally invasive approach to treating
carotid artery disease.
Am I Having a Heart Attack?