Cardiothoracic Surgery

Ochsner has long been recognized for the excellence of its cardiothoracic surgery program. In 2022, U.S. News & World Report designated Ochsner Medical Center - New Orleans as a “High Performing Hospital” for multiple cardiothoracic-related specialties, including:

• Abdominal aortic aneurysm repair

• Aortic valve surgery

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment

• Heart attack treatment

• Heart failure treatment

• Lung cancer surgery

• Pediatric cardiology and heart surgery

• Pulmonology and lung surgery

• Stroke treatment

• Transcatheter aortic valve replacement

Additionally, Ochsner Medical Center - New Orleans is one of only 13 hospitals in the U.S. to have performed 1,000 heart transplants. We also conducted the first adult and pediatric implantation of the Heartmate 3 biventricular assist device, along with the first total artificial heart implant in the Gulf South.

Clinical and basic research carried out by the staff and residents of the cardiothoracic surgery department has resulted in more than 450 scientific articles and contributions to textbooks and videos. Ochsner consistently ranks amongst the top echelon of national and international trials, including:

• NIH-funded CTSNET trial: enrolling patients for PACeS (for atrial fibrillation after CABG), PRIMARY(for mitral prolapse or regurgitation)

• Ranked second nationally for the new Heartmate 3 LVAD trial (MOMENTUM Trial)

• Ranked fifth internationally for the use of aspirin in LVAD patients (ARIES Trial)

Accolades:

• Top five LVAD (durable devices) implanting center

Survival Statistics:

Ochsner consistently ranks among the highest performing centers in the U.S. for high patient survival and low complication rates.

Our full range of cardiothoracic surgery, including heart and lung transplantation, is available only in New Orleans at Ochsner Medical Center - New Orleans.

Multiple Ochsner locations offer a range of cardiothoracic surgery options. Find a location near you.

Cardiothoracic surgeons specialize in treating conditions that affect the heart, lungs and esophagus — that is, the organs inside your thorax, or chest. Ochsner surgeons have the expertise to treat even the rarest conditions, but the most common issues requiring surgery include:

• Aortic aneurysm — a bulge in the wall of the main artery from your heart

• Aortic dissection — a rupture or tear of the aorta, often due to an aneurysm

• Atrial fibrillation and other types of arrhythmias — irregular beating of the heart

• Cardiomyopathy — a type of heart disease in which the heart can’t pump blood very well

• COPD — a subset of lung diseases, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, that make it hard to breathe

• Congenital heart defects — birth defects that prevent the heart from developing normally, such as Ebstein anomaly, hypoplastic left heart syndrome, tetralogy of Fallot and transposition of the great arteries

• Coronary artery disease — the most common type of heart disease

• Cystic fibrosis — a genetic disorder that causes lung damage

• Esophageal cancer

• Esophageal disorders, including Barrett’s esophagus, GERD and hiatal hernia

• Heart attack

• Heart failure

• Lung cancer

• Lung failure that requires extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) or lung transplant

• Valvular insufficiency — a type of heart problem in which your heart valves do not close properly

• Valvular stenosis — a hardening of one or more valves in the heart due to fatty buildup

Cardiothoracic surgeries can be lengthy and complicated. That’s why our cardiac surgeons, thoracic surgeons, and pediatric cardiothoracic surgeons work with a team of advanced practice providers, nurses, nurse navigators, radiologists, social workers and technicians to ensure your surgery and recovery goes as smoothly as possible. Our comprehensive surgical care includes procedures such as:

• Coronary artery bypass surgery — a procedure that grafts a blood vessel to bypass a blocked coronary artery in your heart

• Aortic aneurysms and dissection repair

• Arrhythmia correction

• Congenital heart surgery

• Esophageal resection — removal of part of the esophagus

• Esophageal surgery

• Heart transplant

• Heart-lung transplant

• Left ventricle restoration — surgery that restores the left ventricle

• Lobectomy — removal of one lobe of a lung

• Lung transplant

• Mitral valve repair and replacement

• Pneumonectomy — removal of an entire lung

• Thoracic surgery

• Total artificial heart — a mechanical circulatory support procedure that replaces the function of both heart ventricles

• Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) — a surgical procedure that replaces a diseased aortic valve with an artificial one

• Tricuspid and pulmonary valve repair and replacement

• Vascular assistive device implantation — surgery that implants a device that acts an external pump for your heart

• Wedge resection — removal of part of a lung

Ochsner cardiothoracic surgeons use both minimally invasive and open-heart surgery, depending on the patient and the procedure.

All cardiothoracic surgery is complicated, but pediatric cardiothoracic surgery requires an additional level of care. The Ochsner pediatric cardiothoracic surgery team offers advanced surgical treatment for infants, children and teenagers with congenital heart defects, pediatric heart failure, and other serious cardiothoracic issues. Our pediatric heart transplant team is one of the best in the country, with excellent survival rates.