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.