Specialties & Services

Heart Surgery

Our heart surgeons are pioneers in breakthroughs for heart disease treatment. We’re known in Missouri and the surrounding region for our expertise in minimally invasive and open surgical procedures. You receive compassionate, supportive care from an elite team.

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US News 2025 High Performing Badge: Heart Surgery

US News High Performing Hospitals Badge 2025-2026: Pacemaker

Why choose us for heart surgery?

BJC HealthCare works with WashU Medicine physicians, BJC Medical Group, and providers across the region to deliver extraordinary care. Our cardiac surgeons have decades of experience offering the best in heart surgery. People come to us from surrounding states and beyond because we offer a level of care hard to find elsewhere.

When you choose our care team you’ll find:

Expert team: Our multispecialty program includes board-certified specialists in cardiothoracic surgery, cardiology, interventional cardiology, and electrophysiology. We’ve developed expertise in diagnosing and treating people with all types and stages of heart disease by caring for thousands of patients every year.
National recognition: Barnes-Jewish Hospital has received national recognition from U.S. News & World Report. We stand out for our expertise in heart bypass surgery, aortic valve surgery, and abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.
Advanced diagnostic capabilities: We offer the latest heart testing and diagnostic services, including heart imaging and cardiac catheterization. You receive streamlined testing and prompt results.
Patient-centered approach: We understand that finding out you need heart surgery can be stressful and overwhelming. That’s why your care team is always available, from answering your questions to walking you to an appointment. We guide and support you through every stage of diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.
Heart surgery pioneers: WashU Medicine surgeons at Barnes-Jewish Hospital developed a technique known as the Cox-Maze procedure to treat the most common arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation. Heart experts at Barnes-Jewish Hospital were the first in Missouri to perform transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), a groundbreaking procedure for heart valve disease.

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Our highly trained team of specialists offers advanced treatments as well as compassionate, personalized care.

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Heart surgery options

For most types of heart disease, you can successfully manage symptoms with lifestyle changes and medications. But you may need heart surgery if a heart condition worsens or you have a severe cardiac event, such as a heart attack. Our skilled team offers the full spectrum of minimally invasive procedures and open-heart surgery.

Cardiac catheterization

We insert a catheter (thin, flexible tube) and contrast dye into a blood vessel leading to your heart. The test checks for blood vessel blockages.

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS)

VATS is a minimally invasive treatment for heart and lung diseases. Surgeons insert special tools and a video camera through small incisions in your chest.

Angioplasty and stenting

We use a catheter to expand a tiny balloon inside a narrowed blood vessel. Next, we implant a stent (mesh tube) in the blood vessel to hold it open.

Transmyocardial laser revascularization (TMLR)

We create tiny channels in your heart muscle to improve blood flow. TMLR doesn't require the use of a heart-lung machine.

Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery

We reroute blood vessels to restore blood flow to your heart, bypassing the blocked vessel. CABG is an open-heart surgery.

Cox-Maze procedure for atrial fibrillation

Heart surgeons create small areas of scar tissue on your heart to block electrical signals that cause an irregular heartbeat.

Heart failure surgery

We offer several surgical treatments for heart failure, including left ventricular assist devices and heart transplant surgery.

Minimally invasive heart valve repair and replacement

We treat leaky or stiff heart valves that keep your heart from pumping blood efficiently. These procedures can reduce your risk of heart failure.

Pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs)

We implant tiny devices in your chest to regulate your heart rhythm.

Lead extraction

We safely remove wires, or leads, from pacemakers or ICDs in your heart. You may need extraction due to scar tissue, infection, or lead damage.

Repair for congenital heart conditions

Heart surgeons treat adults with structural heart disease, such as a hole in your heart, that is present at birth.

Alcohol septal ablation

Interventional cardiologists use alcohol to shrink areas where your heart muscle is too thick due to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Robotic-assisted surgery

Surgeons perform robotic-assisted surgery to treat a variety of soft tissue, bone, and joint issues to improve recovery time and promote quicker healing.