Cardiac Surgery

When you need heart surgery, trust UNC Medical Center’s caring experts in Chapel Hill and elsewhere in central North Carolina. Our experienced, multidisciplinary team tailors a treatment plan to your requirements and preferences. And you can count on us to provide excellent care for even the most complex cases.

Heart Surgery Options

You’ll find almost any surgical heart procedure at UNC Medical Center, including:

• Arrhythmia treatments, such as hybrid catheter and surgical ablation (HyCASA), an innovative, new procedure to restore a steady heartbeat
• Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), including off-pump, beating-heart surgery that lowers the risk of complications
• Surgery for heart failure, such as heart transplant and left ventricular assist devices, available at only select hospitals nationwide
• Valve repair and replacement and other structural heart treatments

Minimally Invasive Techniques

If you qualify for minimally invasive (keyhole) heart surgery, your surgeon will make small incisions on the right side of your chest and perform the operation through your ribs. Your breastbone will remain intact. You may need a heart-lung bypass machine, which takes over your heart’s pumping action while the surgeon works.

In some cases, your doctor may recommend an interventional cardiology procedure – a minimally invasive treatment that speeds your recovery and offers an alternative to surgery.

Recovering After Surgery

Following your cardiac surgery, you’ll receive top-quality care as you heal in an intensive care unit that’s earned a gold-level Beacon Award for Excellence from the American Association of Critical Care Nurses. And we’ll help you get back to the activities you love through our cardiac rehabilitation program.