Our surgeons
Many of Australia’s cardiac and cardiothoracic surgeons consult on site at a St Vincent’s Private Hospital or are located nearby.
Our cardiothoracic surgeons, cardiologists, anaesthetists, perfusionists and intensive care physicians work together as a team to bring the most advanced cardiac care to those they care for and treat.
Helping to ensure your full recovery at St Vincent’s is a team of specially qualified nurses and rehabilitation experts dedicated to your care.
They will work together as a team to meet your needs, keep you safe and help facilitate your return to activities.
Surgery for blocked arteries
Your surgeon may recommend a surgical procedure when the arteries around your heart become hardened or narrowed due to a build-up of plaque on the artery walls. The build-up stops your heart from efficiently pumping blood around your body.
Left untreated, this can lead to chest pain (angina), a heart attack or heart failure. It can also cause your heart’s rhythm to change, causing an arrhythmia.
Coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG)
Compared to procedures performed by cardiologists such as angioplasty and stents, coronary artery bypass graft surgery is a more invasive surgery. Your specialist can explain which procedure would be a better choice for you.
CABG is often recommended when most of your arteries are narrowed, if the blockage is in your left main coronary artery or if you have diabetes.
In a specially-equipped operating theatre, your surgeon will remove a healthy vein or artery from elsewhere in your body and use it to replace the blocked artery or arteries.
The surgery can relieve chest pain and reduce your risk of heart problems in the future.
