The heart is a vital organ in the human body that pumps blood. With more than one lakh beats per day, the heart pumps about 7,600 liters of blood daily. Proper functioning of the heart is necessary to keep every other organ healthy. Various diseases affect the heart's functioning, and surgical intervention may be required to treat them.
Getting cardiac surgery was worrisome till a few decades back as survival rates were less. But now, with the availability of modern techniques like minimally invasive surgery, the success rates have drastically improved. You may be surprised to know more than 900,000 cardiac surgeries are performed annually in the United States.
Cardiac surgery is still a major procedure, and it is crucial to select the best hospitals for successful results. With the availability of over six thousand hospitals in America alone, choosing one hospital can be difficult.
To give you a sigh of relief, we have done this tiring work for you. This blog will look at some of the top cardiac surgery hospitals in the USA. These hospitals are among America's most renowned hospitals and are known for providing patient-centric care.
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Who is a Cardiac Surgeon?
A cardiac surgeon is a specialist medical doctor who treats conditions related to the heart. They undergo extensive training and education to perform surgeries on the heart and blood vessels. Cardiac surgeons can be differentiated into two categories based on different specialties.
- Cardiothoracic surgeon: This specialty gets its name from a Greek word that means chest. A cardiothoracic surgeon provides surgical intervention for diseases of the organs found in the chest, such as the lungs, esophagus, heart & its major blood vessels, and trachea.
- Pediatric Heart Surgeon: Cardiac surgeons specializing in congenital heart diseases and child surgeries are known as pediatric heart surgeons. They focus on structural anomalies and heart problems that have been present since birth.
What are the Different Types of Cardiac Surgeries Performed in the USA?
There are numerous types of cardiac surgeries being performed in America. The most common heart surgeries are:
- Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) – It is the most common type of cardiac surgery. CABG involves taking a healthy vein or artery from the legs or chest and grafting it onto the blocked artery. As the name suggests, this surgery bypasses the blocked coronary artery and supplies blood to the heart muscles through a new path.
- Heart Valve Surgery – This surgery involves either repairing the existing valve or completely replacing it. The heart valve can be either replaced by an artificial valve or by a biological valve from a pig, cow, or human heart tissue. Heart valve surgery can be done through open heart surgery or minimally invasive surgery.
- Inserting Pacemaker or ICD – Arrhythmias are usually treated through medicines. But when drugs do not improve the condition, the cardiac surgeon implants a pacemaker in the chest or abdomen. The pacemaker is then connected to heart chambers with the help of wires. Its sensor detects abnormal cardiac rhythms and sends electric impulses to normalize them.
- Heart Transplant – It is a complex surgical procedure in which a diseased heart is replaced by a healthy donor heart. This surgery is usually reserved for patients suffering from end-stage heart failure who have not responded to other treatments.
Why Choose the USA for Cardiac Surgery?
America was the first country where successful heart surgery was performed in 1893. The country has emerged as a leading medical tourism destination for cardiac surgeries. There are various reasons why people trust the US for their heart surgeries, and some of them are listed below:
- Skilled Surgeons: America is home to some of the best cardiac surgeons in the world. They have received education and training from the best medical universities and hospitals. Highly skilled surgeons are well-versed with all the latest medical technologies and can handle complex cases.
- Advanced Techniques: The USA has all the advanced cardiac surgery techniques, including minimally invasive surgery, robotic-assisted surgery, and modular operating rooms. These techniques help achieve better outcomes and shorter recovery times.
- High-Quality Healthcare System: America has a high-quality healthcare system focused on patient safety and quality care. Hospitals and healthcare providers have to follow strict standards of quality services, and patients can expect to receive the best possible care.
- Innovative Research and Clinical Trials: US is home to many leading research institutions and hospitals that conduct clinical trials in various medical fields, including cardiac surgery. This means that patients have access to cutting-edge treatments and procedures that are not available in other countries.
- Accessibility: America has a well-developed transport system, including roadways, railways, and airways. The country is well connected to most of the metropolitan cities all around the world. This makes travel easier for international patients.
How to Select the Best Cardiac Surgery Hospitals in the USA?
With so many cardiac surgery hospitals in America, choosing the best one can be challenging. Some of the factors that you should consider before finalizing a hospital are -
- Accreditation of the hospital: Always opt for a hospital that has received accreditations from reputed organizations like the Joint Commission or the American Heart Association.
- Experience of the surgeon: It's essential to find a hospital with a team of qualified and skilled surgeons. Highly experienced surgeons have better success rates.
- Latest Medical Technology: Look for hospitals that have all the latest medical technologies and equipment for cardiac surgery. Hospitals that use modern techniques have higher success rates and better patient satisfaction.
- Patient Reviews: Patient testimonials and reviews present the real side of the hospital and its staff. You can check reviews on the hospital's website and also on youtube. It helps you get an idea of the quality of services the hospital provides.
- Supportive Care: Cardiac surgery is a complex procedure, and following a comprehensive care plan can significantly improve the results. Opt for a hospital offering supportive services such as rehabilitation, counseling, and post-operative care.
Top 5 Hospitals for Cardiac Surgery in the USA
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Cleveland Clinic: Inaugurated in 1921 in Cleveland, Ohio, the clinic has been accredited by the Joint Commission. It is ranked as the number one cardiac surgery hospital by U.S News and World Report. Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit multispecialty hospital operating as a teaching institute. With more than 6660 bed capacity, the hospital system is functional in 275 locations. The clinic also has an international presence in Canada and Abu Dhabi. Cleveland Clinic Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery is spread over 970,000 sq feet and performs approximately 4000 cardiac surgeries annually.
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Mayo Clinic: Founded in 1992, Mayo Clinic has shown exponential growth in just 30 years. It is now present in more than 40 locations and has a team of 4500 doctors. The hospital is a leading not-for-profit cardiac surgery hospital known for offering patient-centric treatment. It also has a specialized department that caters specifically to the needs of international patients. Surgeons at Mayo Clinic perform over 4500 heart surgeries each year.
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Cedars-Sinai Medical Center: Started with just 12 beds in Los Angeles, the hospital has now spread to over 40 locations serving more than one million patients annually. It houses over 4500 physicians and is involved in 1500 research projects. The hospital has ranked number 1 for heart transplants and aortic valve replacements. It holds the record for performing the most number of adult heart transplants (603) over the period of five years.
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New York - Presbyterian Hospital: It is one of America's most integrated and comprehensive healthcare institutes dedicated to providing quality care services to patients. The hospital has around 2600 beds and 6500 physicians. More than 2 million patients visit New York - Presbyterian Hospital annually. The hospital's cardiac surgery department is equipped with all the latest medical technology and equipment. New York - Presbyterian Hospital was the first hospital to perform a pediatric heart transplant in 1984. It now conducts over 2200 open heart surgeries per year.
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NYU Langone Hospitals: Ranked number 1 in New York and 3 in America, NYU Langone Hospitals is a pioneering healthcare service network. It employs over 46,000 employees in more than 550 locations. The hospital offers world-class medical facilities and is the most trusted hospital for cardiac surgery. The cardiac surgeons appointed by NYU Langone are well-trained and highly skilled in various heart surgeries. First-ever robotic mitral valve repair was performed by the highly skilled cardiac surgeons of NYU Langone.
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- Best Orthopedic Hospitals in the USA
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Conclusion
Cardiac surgery is amongst the most common procedures done in US hospitals. If you or any of your known are looking for cardiac surgery options, America will be a good choice. Hospitals in the country are known for having world-class facilities, hi-tech diagnostic labs, modular operation theaters, modern medical technologies, and skilled surgeons. The hospitals listed in this blog are amongst the best cardiac surgery hospitals in the US. However, it is recommended that you do your research and select a hospital according to your personal preference.
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