Heart Surgery

When surgery is your best treatment option, choose OSF HealthCare Cardiovascular Institute and its network of clinics for experienced care that improves your outcome. You have access to some of the most advanced procedures available, including treatments you’d otherwise find only at major academic medical centers. These procedures are conveniently available in your community in central or northern Illinois.

Cardiac Surgeons Near You

You can receive care from cardiothoracic surgeons in Bloomington, Peoria, Rockford and Urbana.

OSF Cardiovascular Institute - Bloomington

OSF Cardiovascular Institute - Surgery

210 Saint Joseph Drive
Bloomington, IL 61701

OSF Cardiovascular Institute

5405 North Knoxville Avenue
Peoria, IL 61614

OSF Cardiovascular Institute

515 Northeast Glen Oak Avenue
Peoria, IL 61603

OSF Children's Hospital of Illinois (Peoria)

OSF Children's Hospital of Illinois - Congenital Heart Center

420 Northeast Glen Oak Avenue
Peoria, IL 61603

OSF Cardiovascular Institute - Surgery

1405 West Park Street
Urbana, IL 61801

Cardiac Surgical Procedures

Traditional cardiothoracic surgery is open-heart, meaning the surgeon divides your breastbone to access your heart. Less invasive approaches use smaller incisions between your ribs and allow for a faster, easier recovery. Your surgeon will explain the best technique for your procedure.

Congenital Heart Defect Repair

You or your child may need surgery to fix a heart problem present at birth. A congenital heart surgeon can:

Close a hole in heart tissue
Connect arteries to the correct sides of the heart
Place a shunt to improve blood flow to the lungs
Seal off a blood vessel that doesn’t close as it should
Treat an underdeveloped left heart

Learn more about congenital heart surgery, available in Peoria at OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois.

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG)

CABG surgery treats coronary artery disease (clogged heart arteries). A surgeon takes healthy blood vessels from your leg and moves them to your heart. They create a new path for blood to flow around the blocked vessels.

During traditional CABG surgery, the surgeon stops your heart and uses a heart-lung machine to pump blood through your body. When needed, surgeons at OSF Cardiovascular Institute can perform off-pump CABG. This option lets your heart keep beating throughout treatment. Ask your surgeon about the best approach for your situation.

Heart Transplant

A heart transplant replaces a weak heart with a strong, healthy donor heart. In central and downstate Illinois, you’ll find this treatment option only at OSF Cardiovascular Institute in Peoria.

Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) Placement

An LVAD helps a failing heart pump blood. It includes a device a surgeon places in your chest and equipment you wear outside your body. Available in Peoria, this treatment option can lengthen your life, especially if you’re waiting for a heart transplant.

Maze Procedure

Your cardiac surgeon may treat atrial fibrillation by creating a maze of scar tissue in the heart. The tiny scars block abnormal electrical patterns that cause an irregular heartbeat. Surgery not only relieves symptoms of AFib, but also reduces the risk of stroke and heart failure.

Pericardiectomy

Pericardiectomy treats chronic pericarditis (thickening of the pericardium, or sac around your heart). When the sac gets stiff and inflamed, it restricts the heart’s movement and prevents your heart from filling up with enough blood. So, a surgeon removes all or most of the pericardium to relieve swelling, fatigue and other symptoms.

Valve Surgery

Valve repair or replacement improves blood flow through your heart. Explore valve care options for conditions such as aortic stenosis and mitral valve prolapse at OSF Cardiovascular Institute.

Recovery and Rehabilitation

After surgery, you may go to your hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU) or cardiac ICU. Nurses and doctors monitor you around the clock as you recover.

While you’re still in the hospital, you’ll begin inpatient cardiac rehabilitation. This program helps you safely regain strength, energy and endurance. When you return home, you’ll start outpatient cardiac rehab. It includes group education and supervised exercise in a motivating, encouraging environment.