An estimated 700,000 sternotomies are performed annually in the United States. It is a serious surgery that opens up the chest cavity through the breastbone, or sternum, to gain access to the lungs and heart. A sternotomy procedure is done in advance of other procedures like coronary artery bypass surgery, aortic valve repair and replacement, [...]
For 27-year-old Rachael Boyle, heart health was a familiar topic. Her younger brother had experienced heart problems as a teenager, but she had always been healthy. That all changed when she fell ill in April 2024. The First Signs As Rachael wrapped up her spring semester at the University of Texas, she started experiencing persistent [...]
If you never experienced symptoms of heart trouble and were in excellent shape, would you think to visit a cardiologist? What if you had a family history of cardiovascular disease – would you change your mind? For CTVS patient Chad Benestante, these questions hit close to home. Chad is a very active, fit and generally [...]
CTVS patient, William Penny, shared his aortic dissection story with Nicole Villalpando from the Austin American Statesman to help raise awareness about heart health during American Heart Month. You can read his story below or find it on the Austin American Statesman website here. Will Penny and his wife were going for a run on [...]
An aortic dissection is a very serious, often times fatal, condition that takes place when the inner layers of the aorta (the body’s largest artery) weaken and tear causing blood to “dissect” the aorta into a false lumen & true lumen (very much like a double barrel shotgun). This can affect the entireity of the [...]
Heart failure is a chronic condition that occurs when the heart can no longer operate efficiently on its own, or effectively pump blood throughout the body. Signs of heart failure may include difficulty breathing, a racing heartbeat/heart palpitations, fatigue, or unexplained swelling. If left untreated, this condition can prove life-threatening. Most people would assume that [...]
An aortic aneurysm is a very serious condition that occurs when the aorta (the largest artery in the body that comes off the heart) develops a bulb-like formation. If the aneurysm is not treated appropriately, it can rupture or lead to an aortic dissection, causing blood to dangerously leak out of the aorta and prove [...]
One of the most common health issues facing men is heart disease. A precursor to heart attacks and heart failure, heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death in men over recent years. Unfortunately, even if you are presumably healthy, with no history or obvious symptoms of heart disease, it still may be [...]
The Ross procedure is a complex operation designed to replace a diseased or damaged aortic valve. This unique surgery relies on a patient's own existing tissue, the pulmonary valve, to replace the aortic valve rather than using an artificial valve. The Ross procedure is only performed by a handful of skilled, board-certified cardiothoracic surgeons nationwide [...]
February is American Heart Month and we are highlighting some of the important therapies we work with often to aid in repairing and/or extend the life of the heart. Our board-certified cardiothoracic surgeons perform procedures day in and day out to improve heart health and save lives. Some of these include administering technologies such as [...]
