Why choose Geisinger for heart surgery?
When you need heart surgery, you want a team that’s performed thousands of successful procedures — and treats every single one with care.
Once your primary care provider (PCP) or cardiologist sends a referral, your cardiac surgery team will create a plan centered on your long-term health and recovery. Our surgeons have all passed a rigorous national exam that proves their expertise, and many hold advanced training in specific types of cardiac surgery. They routinely perform complex procedures that aren’t widely available in central and northeastern Pennsylvania.
Whatever your heart diagnosis, your surgeon can help. From coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and valve repair to heart failure surgery and congenital heart conditions, the care you need is close to home.
Conditions we treat
Related specialties
FAQs
What are common types of heart surgery?
- Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG): The most common heart surgery in adults, CABG restores blood flow to the heart by rerouting it around a blocked or narrowed artery using a healthy blood vessel from another part of the body.
- Heart valve surgery: Your heart has 4 valves that keep blood moving in the right direction. When 1 becomes damaged or diseased, surgery can repair or replace it to restore normal blood flow.
- Heart failure surgery: When medication and lifestyle changes aren't enough, surgery can help the heart pump more effectively. Options may include implanting a left ventricular assist device (LVAD). In advanced cases, a heart transplant is necessary, and your team will work to find you a transplant center.
- Atrial fibrillation surgery: Also called AFib surgery, this procedure corrects an irregular heartbeat by targeting the abnormal electrical signals in the heart.
- Congenital heart surgery: Some people are born with structural heart defects that require surgical correction. Our surgeons are experienced in treating a range of congenital conditions in children and adults.
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy surgery: When the heart muscle becomes abnormally thick, it can obstruct blood flow. A septal myectomy removes part of the thickened muscle to improve circulation and relieve symptoms.
- Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR): TAVR is a minimally invasive alternative to open heart surgery for patients with severe aortic valve stenosis. Your surgeon delivers a new valve through a catheter, typically through a small incision in the leg, without opening the chest.
What are common risks of heart surgery (cardiac surgery)?
Like any major surgery, heart surgery carries risks, like bleeding, infection, irregular heart rhythm and — in rare cases — stroke. Your surgeon will walk you through the specific risks associated with your procedure and what we do to minimize them.
Our experience performing a high volume of heart surgeries, combined with our standardized approach to care, helps us deliver the best possible outcomes for every patient.
Cardiac procedures at Geisinger
Heart condition treatment isn’t one-size-fits-all, and neither is our approach. We offer:
- Experienced cardiac surgeons: Geisinger heart surgeons have passed a rigorous national certification exam and have advanced training in their particular specialty.
- Comprehensive care where you live: Backed by the expertise of a nationally recognized health system, our team offers treatment at locations in central and northeastern Pennsylvania.
- A full range of surgical options: We offer a range of surgical options, including hybrid procedures that combine cardiac surgery with interventional techniques in our high-tech electrophysiology suite — bringing together cardiac electrophysiologists, interventional cardiologists and heart surgeons in one space.