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Reducing risk and recovery time

Since 2004, cardiac surgeons at Flagstaff Medical Center have performed more than 2,100 open-heart surgeries.     

We're also one of a small number of hospitals in the country to perform heart surgeries using minimally invasive procedures. Many of these surgeries are performed without heart-lung bypass machines, thereby reducing patients’ risk and recovery time.

After any surgical procedure, you can rest assured we're here to support you and your family during your recovery and after.

Doing more with less intrusive procedures

In Flagstaff, our comprehensive cardiothoracic and vascular surgery program combines the expertise of skilled physicians, including university affiliated surgeons, and nurses with the latest medical technology.

Valves, located within the chambers of the heart, are critical to proper blood flow. When functioning normally, they act as one-way valves, enabling blood to flow from one chamber to another or out of the heart. These procedures include:

  • Valve repair – During valve repair, a ring may be sewn around the opening of the valve to tighten it. Other parts of the valve may be cut, shortened, separated or strengthened to help the valve open and close correctly.
  • Valve replacement – If a valve, part or all of it, and its supportive structures can't be repaired, it may be removed and replaced with a mechanical or biological prosthetic valve created from man-made materials. Biological, or tissue valves, are taken from pig, cow or human donors.
During this procedure, a number of incisions are made on the left and right atrium to form scar tissue. Because scar tissue doesn't conduct electricity, it disrupts the path of abnormal electrical impulses and prevents erratic electrical signals from recurring. This can be performed as a standalone procedure during heart surgery, or to treat a separate condition.
These procedures include complex lung resections; intravascular tumor removal; penetrating chest trauma repair; and the treatment of tracheobronchial illnesses.

Make an appointment

Take charge of your heart health and make an appointment today.

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