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Cardiac Surgery

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Advanced Care From Our Heart Surgery Experts

Cedars‑Sinai’s Cardiac Surgery Program at the Smidt Heart Institute cares for patients with a broad range of heart conditions, from simple cases to high-risk. We confidently treat complex issues other healthcare providers can’t. 

  • Reputation for Excellence

    Patients and referring providers nationwide know the quality of our heart surgery team. We have the highest success rates and lowest complication rates nationwide.

  • Advanced Heart Surgery Programs

    Our heart surgeons have built the leading transcatheter heart valve and heart transplant programs in the United States.

  • Minimally Invasive Surgical Options

    We offer many minimally invasive procedures. These can mean less pain and faster recovery for you after surgery.

Areas of Expertise

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Get highly skilled and compassionate care from some of the nation's leading cardiac surgeons.

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Locations

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Choosing a Surgeon

It can be a challenge to know how to pick the right surgeon to treat your heart condition. Dr. Joanna Chikwe, chair of Cardiac Surgery at Cedars-Sinai, explains how important it is to choose a surgeon who specializes in your heart condition.

Mitral Valve Procedure: Choosing a Surgeon - Joanna Chikwe, MD, FRCS | Cedars-Sinai
Smidt Heart Institute Cardiothoracic Surgery
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      Cardiac Surgery News From Cedars‑Sinai

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      After Heart Surgery, More to Love

      After undergoing robotic mitral valve repair at Cedars-Sinai, a patient gains the confidence to expand his family.

      Testimony: Why I'm so Glad I Had Valve Surgery at Cedars‑Sinai

      In her 19 years as a health coach, Whitney Kell followed the same advice she would give her clients: eat right, exercise and meditate. Yet,...

      Navy Veteran Gets Lifesaving Heart Surgery

      Navy veteran Eric Axel Jensen underwent a lifesaving heart surgery by Dr. Fardad Esmailian, who had successfully replaced his aortic valve with a bovine (cow)...

      Minimally Invasive Surgery for Aortic Valve Repair

      Cedars-Sinai cardiac surgeon Dr. Pedro Catarino explains the treatment options for aortic valve repair and who is a good candidate for minimally invasive cardiac surgery.

      Treatment Options for Heart Valve Disease

      Cedars-Sinai cardiologist Dr. Joanna Chikwe explains the options for treating heart valve disease, specifically replacing or repairing the mitral heart valve.

      The Cedars‑Sinai Specialist Aortic Service and Acute Aortic Dissection

      The best aortic dissection treatment results are achieved in centers that provide a dedicated service, like Cedars-Sinai. An experienced team is vital to the success...

      The Beat Goes On: How Minimally Invasive Surgery Saved A 77‑Year-Old Drummer

      Just a decade ago, surgical options were limited for people like 77-year-old drummer Denny Seiwell, who came to Cedars-Sinai with a life-threatening aortic aneurysm. But...

      Valve Value

      Raj Makkar, MD, keeps a photograph of one of his patients: a centenarian grinning in front of a vibrant yellow logo at his favorite country...

      Faces of Cedars‑Sinai: Dr. Dominick Megna

      When Dr. Dominick Megna is not in the OR transplanting organs and repairing aortas, he can be found fine-tuning his other passion: cooking. Read more.

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      Leading the Way in Heart Surgery Research

      Cedars‑Sinai researchers are always investigating new technologies and techniques for heart surgery. Our research helps us care for more patients with more complex cases.

      Cardiac Surgery Research

      Doctor looking at CT scanner screen

      Our researchers work to find new options in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease, including imaging, molecular and cellular mechanisms.

      TRAVERSE Clinical Trial

      Our researchers are studying two routine methods of performing a procedure to treat abnormal heart rhythm, called ablation, to understand their impact on preventing brain problems. Your participation in this study could shape tomorrow's treatments.

      Researcher in lab

      Bench to Bedside Breakthroughs

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      Good Nutrition Prior to Heart Surgery Could Result in Faster Recovery

      Older patients with poor nutrition prior to undergoing elective cardiac surgery are more likely than older patients with good nutrition to die within 30 days...

      Smidt Heart Institute Opens Aortic Surveillance Clinic

      The Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai has opened an Aortic Surveillance Clinic for the evaluation and long-term monitoring of patients with enlarged aortas, or aortic...

      New Artificial Intelligence Tool Predicts Mortality After Surgeries and Procedures

      An artificial intelligence (AI) tool developed by investigators at the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai and colleagues at two other institutions accurately predicted how patients...

      NEJM: Study Supports Minimally Invasive Procedure for Aortic Stenosis

      Patients with a dysfunctional aortic heart valve who received a new, prosthetic valve through a minimally invasive procedure had similar outcomes at five years as...

      Socioeconomics Affect Mitral Valve Repair Outcomes

      Investigators from the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai have found that community-level socioeconomic disparities are associated with worse three-year survival rates for patients with degenerative...

      Study: Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair Safe, Successful

      Long-awaited outcomes data of transcatheter edge-to-edge procedures to repair patients’ leaky mitral valves revealed the minimally invasive procedure to be safe and effective in nearly...

      Cedars‑Sinai Designated as Mitral Valve Repair Reference Center

      The Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai was named a Mitral Valve Repair Reference Center, a recognition awarded to select U.S. medical centers that have a...

      National Leader in Cardiac Surgery Quality, Research Joins Cedars‑Sinai

      Michael Bowdish, MD, MS, a national leader in cardiac surgery and among a handful of cardiac surgeons continuously funded by the National Institutes of Health...

      An illustration of a heart.

      Narrowing the Gap: New Device Makes Heart Valve Repair Safer, Easier

      A new FDA-approved device makes significantly more people with pulmonary valve disease eligible for minimally invasive surgery when they need a valve replaced.

      Innovative Training. Elevated Teaching.

      • Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Fellowship

        The Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Fellowship is a robust 2‑year curriculum that offers personal mentorship, operative training and research leadership for future cardiothoracic surgeons.

        Explore the Fellowship

      • Thoracic Transplantation & Mechanical Circulatory Fellowship

        This one‑year, non-ACGME clinical fellowship gives fellows comprehensive experience in thoracic transplantation, as well as the implantation of mechanical circulatory assist devices.

        Explore the Fellowship

      • Thoracic Surgery—Integrated Residency

        Our residents gain comprehensive experience in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, as well as specialized training in transcatheter, robotic and other current therapeutic modalities.

        Learn More

      • Continuing Medical Education

        Our physicians present a number of grand rounds and professional conferences throughout the year, including research conferences, workshops and continuing medical education.

        View Calendar

      Physician Referral and Consultations

      If you have a patient who needs heart care and who could benefit from the expertise of Cedars‑Sinai’s team, send us a message. We’ll work closely with you to understand your patient’s needs and consult with you along the way.

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