Heart Surgery


CHI St. Vincent's cardiothoracic surgeons perform hundreds of cardiac surgeries every year at CHI St. Vincent Infirmary in Little Rock and CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs in Hot Springs.  This high volume gives us an exceptional level of experience and expertise in heart surgery so you don’t have to travel far from home to get the best care available. 

 

Our medical and surgical teams work collaboratively to determine the best surgical treatment for each patient's unique needs, whether that’s conventional or minimally invasive surgery. Our goal is to create a surgical plan designed to provide the optimal outcome. 

 

 

 

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Personalized Care and Support

You and your surgeon will work together to determine the best surgical treatment for your unique needs, whether that’s conventional or minimally invasive surgery. Our goal is to create a surgical plan designed to provide your optimal outcome. Your surgical team includes physician assistants, registered nurses, nurse navigators and other clinical staff, all dedicated to superior patient care. We’re here to support you through this process, monitor your well-being and answer any questions you may have, from your first appointment through your recovery.

 

Conditions We Treat

  • Aortic Stenosis
  • Heart Disease
  • Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
  • Heart Valve Disorders
  • Congenital Heart Defects
  • Aneurysms
  • Heart Failure
  • Arrhythmias
  • Endocarditis
  • Carotid Artery Disease
  • Peripheral Vascular Disease
  • Various Lung conditions including:
    • Resection of Lung Cancers
    • Recurrent Pneumothorax
    • Infection within the Pleural Space

     

Heart Surgery Procedures

  • Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery - Bypass surgery redirects a blood vessel to “bypass” blockages so we can restore blood flow to the heart. This may be a traditional (open) or minimally invasive surgery.
  • Heart Valve Replacement and Heart Valve Repair
  • LVAD Placement
  • Major Vascular Surgery
  • Thoracotomy - a surgical procedure that allows doctors to visualize, biopsy or remove tissue from organs in the chest. 

 

 

Heart Care with Minimally Invasive Procedures

Structural heart diseases which affect the valves and walls of hearts have typically been dealt with using open heart surgery. At CHI St Vincent Heart Institute minimally invasive transcatheter therapies have revolutionized care for heart patients, offering better outcomes, shorter length of stay and a more rapid recovery. Our comprehensive approach identifies the best treatment options to suit each patient. Our structural heart programs include:

 

How Long Does it Take to Recover From Surgery?

The recovery time after surgery can vary widely depending on the type of surgery, individual health, and the complexity of the procedure. Minor surgeries with minimal complications may have shorter recovery times, while major surgeries or those involving complex organs may require longer recovery periods.

In general, the initial phase of recovery involves healing from the surgical incisions and managing any immediate postoperative symptoms. This phase can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. However, complete recovery, including the restoration of normal activities and full strength, may take several weeks to months.

 

Supporting a Weak Heart

Mechanical circulatory support can be a temporary or durable option for patients suffering from a variety of conditions including heart failure, AMI, or cardiogenic shock. The CHI St Vincent Heart Institute team of cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons can provide a number of options for patients including: 

  • IABP An intra-aortic balloon pump to help your heart pump more blood.
  • Impella is the world’s smallest heart pump. This device is inserted into the heart using minimally invasive surgery. It provides temporary support for patients who have heart failure or are in cardiogenic shock as the result of a heart attack. 
  • LVAD - Left-Ventricular Assist Device 
  • Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) is a mechanical device that supports the heart or lung function temporarily. This therapy supports patients in cardiac and respiratory failure. ECMO is used during life-threatening conditions such as severe lung damage from infection, or shock after a massive heart attack. 

 

 

Clinic Locations

Little Rock

CHI St. Vincent Cardiovascular Surgery Clinic - Little Rock - Blandford Bldg.

5 St. Vincent Circle, Suite 501

Little Rock, AR 72205

501.666.2894

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Clinic Info