Coronary artery surgery bypasses the blockages which hinder the blood supply to the heart. A blood vessel taken from the leg, inside the chest or lower arm is attached to the coronary artery below the blockage thereby restoring the blood flow. This aids in relieving chest pain and improving heart function.



Coronary bypass surgery is a remedy, not a cure for coronary artery disease. The disease which led you to this operation is still present, so changes in eating habits and life-style will be a large part of your recovery.

Heart valve surgery replaces or repairs damaged or scarred heart valves. Your surgeon will explain what is needed in your case.

Transmyocardial revascularization (TMR) is a procedure that focuses on improving blood flow to areas of the heart that were could not be treated by angioplasty or bypass graft surgery. A special carbon dioxide (CO2) laser is used to create small channels in the heart muscle, improving blood flow in the heart.

The Left Ventricular Reconstructive Surgery or DOR Procedure (named after Dr. Vincent DOR who introduced this technique) may be a treatment option for patients whose left ventricle has been damaged by a heart attack.

During a heart attack, the blood and oxygen flow to the heart muscle is blocked. As a result, the heart muscle is damaged. This damaged or scarred area of the heart can become thin and bulge out with each beat. The bulging thin area is called an aneurysm. This causes your heart to work harder to pump blood out to the body and the heart often enlarges.

During left ventricular reconstructive surgery, an incision is made into the heart muscle. The damaged area or aneurysm is removed. The area is then closed with rows of sutures arranged in a circle. These sutures draw the heart muscle together- like a draw- string.

As a result the ventricle pumps more effectively and goes back to a more normal size.

The Cox-Maze procedure (also known as Maze procedure) is a surgical treatment for atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter. Atrial fibrillation is the most common irregular heart rhythm in the United States. Sometimes atrial fibrillation can be corrected by a procedure developed by Dr. Jim Cox and now preformed by many surgeons. Detailed information can be found at: http://www.sts.org/doc/4511.