Heart Surgery Today: Advanced imaging, diagnostics and minimally-invasive options make procedures safer and less invasive

About heart surgery

According to the National Institutes of Health, the first successful open-heart operation on a person using a heart-lung machine was performed in Philadelphia in May 1953. This medical breakthrough launched a world of possibilities for saving lives.

More than 65 years later, heart care has continued to evolve and improve. Medical science knows vastly more about the heart and circulatory system. Diagnostic imaging – from X-rays to MRIs to echocardiograms – has gone digital. And surgeons now have an amazing array of tools, technology and techniques that were previously unimaginable.

Advanced Cardiovascular Surgery at the Heart & Vascular Institute of Eastern Kentucky

At Pikeville Medical Center’s Heart & Vascular Institute of Eastern Kentucky, we have developed a nationally recognized heart care program. With a state-of-the-art facility, a team of expert physicians and staff, and highly advanced surgical technology, we are committed to delivering exceptional care to our patients.

Our team specializes in a full range of cardiovascular procedures, from traditional open-heart surgeries to leading-edge minimally invasive and robotic-assisted techniques. These newer methods allow for smaller incisions, less pain, reduced blood loss, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery times, helping patients return to their daily lives more quickly.

Dr. John Deel is one of the few surgeons in the state specializing in robotic-assisted heart valve and lung surgeries using the advanced Da Vinci Xi system. Pikeville Medical Center is also the only hospital in Eastern Kentucky performing minimally invasive bypass surgery as an alternative to traditional open-heart procedures for qualified patients.

Minimally-invasive cardiothoracic surgeries at the Heart & Vascular Institute of Eastern Kentucky include:

• Minimally invasive transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR)
• Minimally invasive single coronary bypass surgery
• Minimally invasive mitral valve repair
• Minimally invasive aortic valve replacement
• Minimally invasive & hybrid coronary artery bypass graft procedures
• Minimally invasive maze procedures for abnormal heart rhythms
• Hybrid Ablation Therapy for long-standing atrial fibrillation
• Robotic-assisted aortic, mitral, and tri-cuspid valve surgery
• Robotic-assisted lung surgery

Which patients are most appropriate for minimally-invasive heart surgery?

Not everyone is a good candidate for minimally-invasive or newer surgical techniques. Whenever possible, patients and their families should discuss options with their surgeon.

Some factors that are considered in the planning of a surgery:

• Urgency – in an emergency situation, time is imperative. This can affect which surgeon is available and/or the preparation time.
• Age and health status of the patient.
• Comorbidities – other health conditions and factors that can affect the surgery and recovery.
• The problem or problems to be fixed.
• Ability to tolerate anesthesia.
• Patient anatomy – each person has slight differences in the size and placement of their body parts, which can affect the surgical approach.

Our cardiothoracic surgical team

If you or a loved one requires heart surgery, the Pikeville Medical Center cardiothoracic team welcomes the opportunity to discuss your needs and determine the approach that best meets them. The members of that team include:

These surgeons have collectively performed more than 18,000 cardiovascular surgeries during their careers.

To make a referral or request an appointment, please call:

(606) 430-2202

PMC Clinic Building, 2nd Floor
911 Bypass Road, Building A
Pikeville, KY 41501