Services

Cardiothoracic Surgery

When you or a loved one needs surgical excellence and compassionate care, come to the Augusta University Cardiovascular Center for advanced cardiothoracic surgical care.

1003 Chafee Avenue
Augusta, Georgia 30912

Office: 706-721-3226
Appointments: 706-721-6679

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General Test
Heart and Vascular Care
Cardiothoracic Surgery

Cardiothoracic surgeons at Augusta University Cardiovascular Center provide advanced diagnostic and surgical care to heart patients.

Office:
1120 15th St., BA 4300
Augusta, GA 30912
706-721-3226

Clinic:
1003 Chafee Ave.
Augusta, GA 30912
706-721-6679

Cardiothoracic Surgery

Cardiothoracic surgeons at Augusta University Cardiovascular Center provide advanced diagnostic and surgical care to heart patients.

Why Choose Us

AU Health is one of the area leaders in cardiothoracic surgery. Our cardiothoracic surgeons perform procedures on the heart, lungs, esophagus, diaphragm, blood vessels, and other organs in the chest. They have graduated from some of the top programs in the nation, including the Cleveland Clinic, Duke University and New York University, making them highly trained in open-heart surgeries, as well as leaders in new, innovative, and minimally invasive cardiac procedures. Advanced surgical procedures include coronary bypass surgery, valve surgery, and surgeries for atrial fibrillation (such as MAZE).

Our Approach

We know the thought of cardiothoracic surgery can leave you feeling anxious so, we'll go through the details of your diagnosis and explain all your treatment options. We strive for the highest standards of quality outcomes. In fact, our center exceeds benchmarks established by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons with complication rates lower than those of other area hospitals.

Conditions We Treat

Our skilled cardiothoracic surgical team treats a wide array of conditions, including:

Aortic aneurysm
Aortic dissection
Atrial fibrillation
Benign conditions of the esophagus
Cancers, such as lung and esophageal
Congestive heart failure
Coronary artery disease
Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy
Left ventricular aneurysm
Mediastinal tumors
Mitral, tricuspid and pulmonic stenosis
Valve disease, such as aortic and mitral regurgitation

AU Specialists

Our cardiothoracic surgeons are visionaries; continuously improving programs and procedures so that they can provide the best care at our center.

Advanced procedures offered at AU Health

Dr. Richard Lee, our chief of cardiothoracic surgery, has partnered with Dr. Kimberly Atianzar, our cardiology leader of the structural team, to develop cutting edge procedures.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR): A nonsurgical approach to treating aortic valve disease that cuts a patient’s hospital stay to less than a day and their recovery down from months to weeks.
Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair and Replacement (Mitral Clip and Valve-in-Valve): This includes patients who have had previous valve replacement. AU Health is the only hospital in the region to perform this procedure.
Transcatheter Tricuspid Program: A nonoperative therapy to repair leaks in the tricuspid valve.

Advanced Mechanical Circulatory Support Program

Board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. Vijay Patel, and board-certified heart failure cardiologist, Dr. Stephanie Dunlap, have teamed up to develop our Advanced Mechanical Circulatory Support Program to provide complex treatment options to patients with few options.

Adult ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation): A therapy used to support the heart and/or lung by adding oxygen to the blood outside the body. This allows the heart and lungs to rest so that healing can occur.
Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) implantation: A therapy for patients experiencing advanced heart failure. A VAD is a mechanical circulatory support device that pumps blood from the hearts ventricles to the rest of the body.

In addition, we have pulmonologists, physician assistants, anesthesiologists, pharmacists, cardiac rehabilitation specialists and nurses as part of our team.