Cardiovascular Surgery

Specialized Care for Every Heart

Cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon Todd P. Guynn, M.D., leads a heart surgical program that puts Rush-Copley on the cutting edge of advanced heart and thoracic procedures.  Dr. Guynn is medical director of cardiovascular surgery at the Heart Institute.  His heart specialist team is dedicated to offering heart patients medical options they did not have several years ago.

Heart and vascular procedures include:

• Coronary Bypass Surgery
• Valve Surgery
• Modified MAZE
• Peripheral Vascular Disease/Aortic Stent Grafting

Coronary Bypass Surgery

Because of the decrease in complications and trauma to the patient, cardiac surgeons at Rush-Copley are increasingly providing less invasive approaches to heart operations, including open heart surgery, whenever possible.  Off-pump or "beating heart" procedures avoid using a heart-lung machine and are done through standard or small incisions.  Data suggests that in the highest risk group of patients (those with significant neurologic, liver, kidney or lung concerns), the advantages of off-pump surgery are striking.

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Mitral Valve Repair and Replacement Surgery

Mitral valve repair is necessary when the patient's valve does not close properly.  Rush-Copley Heart Institute offers mitral valve repair surgery.  In an open heart procedure, a small cloth hoop is attached around the mitral valve.  This hoop reinforces the valve tissue and supports the closing action, restoring effective pumping action of the heart.

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Modified MAZE

The modified MAZE procedure is used in the treatment of atrial fibrillation, an abnormality of the electrical system of the heart.  The surgical procedure, MAZE, consists of creating a "maze" of scars in the atrium resulting in a normal rhythm of the heart in up to 80% of patients.

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Peripheral Vascular Disease

Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is a common circulation problem in which the arteries that carry blood to the legs or arms become narrowed or clogged.  Stent grafting is a procedure where a stent graft is inserted in the clogged vessel.

Aortic Stent Grafting

Aortic stent grafting repairs abdominal aortic aneurysms by implanting a device into the damaged aorta, the largest vessel transporting blood from the heart, allowing blood to travel smoothly to the rest of the body.  (This is a less invasive surgical option than traditional abdominal surgery and offers a shorter recovery time for the patient.)

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