Heart and vascular surgery

Our cardiac and vascular teams will use our heart screening and imaging services and procedures to aid in the diagnosis of heart and vascular conditions. Our board-certified physicians will always aim to use noninvasive and nonsurgical treatment options to treat your cardiovascular condition. However, when other heart and vascular treatment options have been exhausted or are known to be ineffective for your condition, surgery may be recommended.

If you would like more information about our heart and vascular surgery services, please call us at (352) 401-1427.

Coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG)

If you have blockages in one or more of your coronary arteries, your heart is likely not getting enough of the oxygen-rich blood it needs to function properly.

During a CABG surgery, a vein from the leg or chest wall is used to “bypass” the blocked portion of the narrowed coronary artery. This restores adequate blood flow to the heart.

Valve repair and replacement surgery

There are four valves in the heart (aortic, mitral, tricuspid and pulmonic) and any of them may become damaged or diseased and require surgery.

At our hospital's valve clinic, our board-certified cardiothoracic surgeons have significant experience in treating heart valve disease. In addition to traditional valve repair/replacement, our highly experienced team of surgeons offers both minimally invasive valve surgery and catheter-based treatment options.

For more information about our heart valve care services, call our valve coordinator at (352) 433-3586.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR)

We are proud to offer TAVR — a minimally invasive treatment for aortic valve stenosis. This procedure is performed in one of our cardiac catheterization labs using advanced imaging technology, software and monitoring systems.

Unlike traditional aortic valve replacement surgery, TAVR uses a specialized catheter and valve delivery system, typically inserted through a leg artery, to implant the new valve.

For every TAVR procedure we perform, we use a multidisciplinary team approach. Our board-certified cardiothoracic surgeons, interventional cardiologists and cardiovascular anesthesiologists have all completed specialized training in TAVR procedures and perform these procedures collaboratively.

Aortic surgery

The aorta, the main artery of the body, begins at the left ventricle of the heart and delivers blood to the brain and all parts of the body. If the aorta walls become weak and enlarged, an aneurysm can form. Left untreated, the aorta could rupture, which is a life-threatening event.

Our experienced cardiothoracic and vascular surgical team treats both thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysms. We offer traditional (open) and endovascular surgical options.

Minimally invasive thoracoscopic surgery

Thoracoscopic surgery is used to diagnose and treat a variety of conditions involving the chest area. However, it is most commonly used to remove a small cancerous part of the lung.

Our cardiothoracic team offers the latest in minimally invasive thoracoscopic surgery, including video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and robotic surgery.

Closure device implantation

A patent foramen ovale (PFO), the most common structural heart defect, is a hole in the tissue normally separating the heart's upper chambers (right and left atrium). This defect allows blood to pass between the chambers and can lead to stroke.

To repair the hole, an interventional cardiologist implants a closure device using a catheter. This small, double-disc device is made of nickel titanium mesh and polyester fabric.

ECMO is a leading-edge technology that serves to temporarily replace the function of the heart or lungs while treating the underlying condition. During ECMO, the patient’s blood is pumped into an artificial lung (oxygenator) that adds oxygen and removes carbon dioxide before sending the blood back via a pump.

HCA Florida Ocala Hospital is the only hospital in Marion County to offer this lifesaving technology.