Heart and Vascular
Cardiac Care
As the leading cardiac care program in our area, the Heart & Vascular Center at St. Helena Hospital offers advanced cardiovascular surgery technology and services. Our surgeons have been both learners and teachers in major academic hospitals, and our nurses and technicians possess specialized skills in cardiovascular surgery care.
Recent advances in technology and technique have made coronary artery bypass surgery much safer and less invasive than it was even a few years ago. For instance, in many cases we are able to perform “off-pump” surgery. Because the heart continues to beat during this type of surgery, we do not need to use a heart-lung machine, which eliminates the risk of brain damage from a lack of oxygen to the brain. In addition, we use the HEARTSTRING® Proximal Seal System, which eliminates the need for the aorta to be clamped off during surgery.
To retrieve the leg artery that is often used in bypass surgery, we use a minimally invasive technique that requires just a one-inch incision. As a result, recovery is typically much faster and less painful than with conventional methods of harvesting the vein.
Along with bypass surgery, we offer a range of options for aortic and mitral valve replacement surgery.
