Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS) cardiovascular surgeons have a proven track record in treating complex heart valve disease, which occurs when one or more of the heart’s four valves is not functioning properly. Our specialists have outstanding reputations for excellence in mitral valve repair, preserving as much of the valve as possible and maintaining the function of the left ventricle. When mitral valve disease triggers cardiac failure, valve repair can provide symptomatic relief and improve functionality. But cardiac replacement, either through transplantation or a ventricular assist device, can also be an alternative when other options have been exhausted. The survival rate for our patients undergoing heart transplantation is among the best in the nation, with 25-30 such surgeries occurring annually. Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) can, when appropriate, serve as either a “bridge to transplant” or a long-term solution for patients ineligible for cardiac transplantation.
The Department of Cardiovascular Surgery at Mount Sinai has had a longstanding interest in the disease and surgery of the thoracic and thoracoabdominal aorta. Results of the first series of aortic arch operations were published in 1975 by the pioneering surgeon Randall B. Griepp, MD. The team at the Center for Aortic Disease, now under the direction of Drs. Stewart and Di Luozzo, continues this tradition of research and advanced care, focusing on all aspects and stages of aortic aneurysms. The outcomes of aortic surgery at Mount Sinai Heart have consistently been the benchmark for other programs worldwide.
Mount Sinai is a leading referral center for thoracic aortic aneurysms in the United States, not only because of its clinical expertise and history, but because of its strength in basic and clinical research. Mount Sinai’s confidential database of more than 4,000 participants helps identify risks, common complications, and aneurysm-growth expectations—all of which can lead to better patient care. If surgery is needed, the Program offers innovative care for both elective and emergency aortic procedures. The Program is also researching the genetic causes of serious aortic disease and minimally invasive methods of treating it.
Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is often used to restore blood flow to a patient’s heart by connecting a healthy artery or vein to bypass a blockage. But while the heart has been stopped in the past during this procedure (with function being maintained by a heart-lung machine), our specialists can now perform a minimally invasive approach, such as off-pump coronary revascularization so that a heart can continue beating during surgery.
Mount Sinai is among the leaders in the new field of beating heart valve repair and replacement, including Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) and Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement (TMVR). These minimally invasive techniques allow interventions in patients who were previously not candidates for open surgical interventions, and allow for quicker recovery. Our Heart Team approach includes interventional cardiologists, cardiovascular surgeons, echocardiographers, anesthesiologists, and valve clinic coordinators, all focused on providing the most state-of-the-art care for our patients.