Cardiac Surgery

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When surgery is your best treatment option for a heart condition, choose the board-certified, fellowship-trained cardiac surgeons at the Hartford HealthCare Heart & Vascular Institute.

Choosing where to have heart surgery is an important decision. One of the best ways to evaluate a cardiac surgery program is by looking at patient outcomes. At the Hartford HealthCare Heart & Vascular Institute at Hartford Hospital and St. Vincent’s Medical Center our results reflect a strong commitment to safety, quality and patient-centered care.

HHC Earns Elite National Distinction for Cardiac Surgery


Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG)

Coronary bypass surgery is used to treat coronary artery disease.

Our surgeons focus on using multiple arterial bypass grafts, such as the Internal Thoracic Artery. These arterial grafts stay open longer than vein grafts. This approach can improve survival and reduce the need for repeat procedures, providing a durable treatment for complex coronary disease.

Heart Transplant

As a leading heart transplant program in Connecticut, our dedicated, multidisciplinary team offers comprehensive, life-saving care for patients with end-stage heart failure. Our team offers advanced treatments, including Ventricular Assist Devices (VADs), which are often used as a bridge to transplant. We also provide specialized care after transplant and are committed to achieving patient survival rates that meet or exceed national benchmarks.

Mitral Valve Repair

Mitral valve surgery surgery stops blood from leaking backward through the heart.

At the Heart & Vascular Institute, surgeons nearly always repair, rather than replace, the mitral valve. Most mitral valve repair procedures at Hartford Hospital are performed through a small incision under the right breast. This allows for faster recovery and an earlier return to activities, including driving.

Mitral valve replacement for calcific mitral disease.  

A calcified mitral valve can be a challenge to treat.

At Hartford Hospital, our surgeons have extensive experience using ultrasonic decalcification of the valve. They have shared their techniques at national and international meetings. Our surgeons often operate on valves that are considered inoperable at other centers

Aortic Valve Replacement (AVR) 

Aortic valve replacement treats severe aortic stenosis or aortic regurgitation by replacing the diseased valve with a prosthetic or biological valve.

At the Heart & Vascular Institute, our surgeons perform both traditional open-heart surgery and Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR), tailoring the approach to provide the best recovery and long-term outcome.

Ross Procedure 

The Ross procedure treats aortic valve disease by replacing the diseased aortic valve with your own healthy pulmonary valve.

By using your own tissue, this procedure offers greater durability, less need for long-term blood thinners, and better performance, especially for younger or active patients.

Aortic Aneurysm Repair 

Aortic aneurysms, especially those involving the ascending aorta, require highly specialized surgical expertise because of the risk of rupture or dissection.

Our surgeons perform both open repair and complex aortic reconstruction. We use specialized grafts to replace weakened sections of the aorta. We care for patients across the full spectrum of aortic disease, from surveillance to urgent surgical treatment.

Heart Conditions We Treat

Recovery & Support

Recover and regain strength after heart surgery with cardiac rehabilitation. In this supervised exercise program, you’ll reduce the risk of future heart problems and learn how to live a heart-healthy lifestyle.


Request an Appointment

Call 833.444.0014 to request an appointment with a cardiac surgeon at the Heart & Vascular Institute. Ask your doctor for a referral before you call.

HHC Cardiac Surgery BookletEducation is critical to helping you understand your individual heart problem and its treatment.

Your Guide to Cardiac Surgery

Useful information regarding your heart and heart surgery, preparing for surgery, recovery, and more.

 

Download the guideDescarga la guíaPobierz przewodnik

Cardiac Surgery at The Heart & Vascular Institute


Meet our Cardiac Surgeons:

Sheelagh Pousatis

5.0

Cardiac Surgery

Medical Group Hartford HealthCare Heart & Vascular Institute at Hartford Hospital
Hartford, CT 06106
Mohiuddin Cheema

4.8

Cardiac Surgery

Medical Group Hartford HealthCare Heart & Vascular Institute at Hartford Hospital
Hartford, CT 06106
Robert Hagberg

4.9

Cardiac Surgery

Medical Group Hartford HealthCare Heart & Vascular Institute at Hartford Hospital
Hartford, CT 06106
Daniel Fusco

 

Cardiac Surgery

Medical Group Hartford HealthCare Medical Group Specialty Care - Cardiac Surgery - Bridgeport
Bridgeport, CT 06606
Rafael Squitieri

5.0

Cardiac Surgery

Medical Group Hartford HealthCare Medical Group Specialty Care - Cardiac Surgery - Bridgeport
Bridgeport, CT 06606
David Yaffee

4.7

Cardiac Surgery

Medical Group Hartford HealthCare Heart & Vascular Institute at Hartford Hospital
Hartford, CT 06106
Dina Al Rameni

4.9

Cardiac Surgery

Medical Group Hartford HealthCare Heart & Vascular Institute at Hartford Hospital
Hartford, CT 06106
Jason Zakko

4.9

Cardiac Surgery

Medical Group Hartford HealthCare Heart & Vascular Institute at Hartford Hospital
Hartford, CT 06106

Meet our Advanced Practitioners and Physicians Assistants:

Andrew Panetta

 

Cardiac Surgery

Medical Group Hartford HealthCare Heart & Vascular Institute at Hartford Hospital
Hartford, CT 06106
Jessica Russell

 

Cardiac Surgery

Medical Group Hartford HealthCare Medical Group Specialty Care - Cardiac Surgery - Bridgeport
Bridgeport, CT 06606
Danielle Putnam

 

Cardiac Surgery

Medical Group Hartford HealthCare Heart & Vascular Institute at Hartford Hospital
Hartford, CT 06106
Benjamin Iapaluccio

 

Cardiac Surgery

Medical Group Hartford HealthCare Heart & Vascular Institute at Hartford Hospital
Hartford, CT 06106
Samantha Zaza

 

Cardiac Surgery

Medical Group Hartford HealthCare Heart & Vascular Institute at Hartford Hospital
Hartford, CT 06106
Robert Ficara

 

Cardiac Surgery

Medical Group Hartford HealthCare Heart & Vascular Institute at Hartford Hospital
Hartford, CT 06106
Vanessa Klopfer

 

Cardiac Surgery

Medical Group Hartford HealthCare Heart & Vascular Institute at Hartford Hospital
Hartford, CT 06106
Marissa McClement

 

Cardiac Surgery

Medical Group Hartford HealthCare Heart & Vascular Institute at Hartford Hospital
Hartford, CT 06106
Gisel Tanos

 

Cardiac Surgery

Medical Group Hartford HealthCare Heart & Vascular Institute at Hartford Hospital
Hartford, CT 06106
Olivia Couture

 

Cardiac Surgery

Medical Group Hartford HealthCare Heart & Vascular Institute at Hartford Hospital
Hartford, CT 06106
Emma Rusconi

 

Cardiac Surgery

Medical Group Hartford HealthCare Heart & Vascular Institute at Hartford Hospital
Hartford, CT 06106
Taylor Griffeth

 

Cardiac Surgery

Medical Group Hartford HealthCare Heart & Vascular Institute at Hartford Hospital
Hartford, CT 06106
Jiwan Moon

 

Cardiac Surgery

Medical Group Hartford HealthCare Heart & Vascular Institute at Hartford Hospital
Hartford, CT 06106

Our Cardiac Surgery Locations: