Virtual Second Opinion Clinic

At the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute, our team of board-certified, and fellowship-trained cardiothoracic surgeons perform procedures ranging from mitral valve repair, cardiac bypasses, and congenital heart defect repairs to heart transplants and other complex procedures for high-risk adults. We use the most advanced equipment and latest surgical techniques, including minimally-invasive robotic surgery in state-of-the-art operating rooms.

We are one of the leading centers for advanced robotic valve surgery and advanced robotic bypass surgery in the country, putting patient care first with outstanding experiences and outcomes. We take great pride in being able to provide high-quality, innovative, and life-changing care that improves the health and well-being of our patients. Our surgeons also use the most advanced procedures, including:

• Minimally invasive cardiac surgery
• Robotic-assisted cardiac surgery
• Transcatheter valve procedures (including Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement – TAVR)
• WATCHMAN© Left Atrial Appendage Closure Implant
• Percutaneous mitral valve treatments
• Aortic surgery
• Atrial fibrillation surgery (AFib)
• Bypass surgery
• Congenital heart surgery
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy surgery – septal myectomy
• Heart failure surgery – left ventricular assist devices, left ventricular reconstruction
• Heart transplant
• Valve surgery

The WVU Heart and Vascular Institute has received the prestigious Mitral Valve Repair Reference Center Award from the American Heart Association and the Mitral Foundation for demonstrating a consistent record of high volumes, superior clinical outcomes, and durability resulting from mitral valve repair.

Learn more about our Cardiac surgery services →

At the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute, our board-certified, and fellowship-trained cardiologist work with primary care physicians to ensure coordinated, continuous care. They provide expertise in every aspect of cardiac care, ranging from standard procedures such as outpatient consultation, echocardiography, and angiography to advanced clinical research into heart failure, preventive cardiology, and radio-frequency ablation. Special services include physical fitness evaluation, non-invasive and invasive studies, interventional procedures, and radioisotope examinations of the heart. Our comprehensive specialties include:

• Non-invasive Cardiology
• Interventional Cardiology
• Structural heart program
• Advanced heart failure
• Electrophysiology (EP)
• Cardiac Rehabilitation
• Women’s Heart Program
• Lipidology

Learn more about our cardiology services→

At the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute, our board-certified, and fellowship-trained thoracic surgeons treat patients with diseases of the chest (thorax), lungs, and upper gastrointestinal system (esophagus and stomach), using the most advanced equipment and latest surgical techniques including minimally-invasive robotic surgery and video-assisted thoracic surgery to achieve the best possible patient outcomes.

U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals 2020-21 designated our Lung Surgery program as High Performing in the Procedures and Conditions category. Read full story

We earned a distinguished three-star (highest) rating from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) for esophageal cancer patient care and robotic esophagectomy outcomes. The rating, which denotes the highest category of quality, places the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute among the elite in the United States and Canada for general thoracic surgery. Read full story.

Our thoracic surgery team, along with the support of cardiologists, oncologist, gastroenterologist, pulmonologist, radiation oncologist, respiratory therapists and other specialists, including collaboration with the WVU Cancer Institute, perform the most straightforward to the most complex thoracic procedures on adults. Screening techniques and surgical procedures include:

Lung Cancer staging and Treatment
Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS)
Navigation Bronchoscopy
Microwave Ablation
Robotic Lung Sparing Surgery – Segmentectomy
Robotic lobectomy, sleeve lobectomy
Post-Chemoradiation lung surgery for locally advanced lung cancer

Esophageal Cancer Surgery
Endoscopic Mucosal Resection
Robotic Esophagectomy
Esopahgeal Stenting
Photodynamic therapy

Thymoma Surgery
Robotic Thymectomy for thymoma and Myasthenia Gravis
Radical thymectomy with Hyperthermic Chemoperfusion

Surgery for GERD and Hiatal Hernia
Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication (TIF)
LINX
Robotic Fundoplication, Nissen, Toupet, Dor
Redo Laparoscopic Hiatal Hernia Surgery

Surgery for Achalasia
Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM)
Robotic Heller Myotomy

Surgery for Zenker’s Diverticulum
Z-Poem
Transoral Stapling of Zenker’s Diverticulum

Surgery for Esophageal Diverticulum
Robotic Esophageal Diverticulectomy

Surgery for Chest Wall Tumors/Disorders
Nuss Procedure for Pectus
Chest wall tumor resection and reconstruction
Rib Plating

Surgery for Slipped Rib Syndrome

Surgery for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Robotic First Rib Resection

Surgery for Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome
Robotic Incision of Median Arcuate Ligament

Other Procedures
Airway-Tracheal and Bronchus surgery
Epigastric hernia repair
Lung Volume Reduction Surgery
Mediastinal surgery
Myasthenia Gravis
Pericardial Window
POEM (Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy)
Robotically assisted lung resection surgery
Surgical treatment of hyperhydrosis
Thymectomy
Thyroidectomy
Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS)

Minimally invasive and robotic assisted surgeries
These surgeries are minimally invasive advanced procedures using the Da Vinci robot. With minimally invasive procedures some patients experience less pain, and faster recoveries than other surgeries, helping you spend less time in the hospital. Robotic surgery options include:

• Esophagectomy to remove part of the esophagus
• Lung-preserving surgery
• Sympathectomy for excessive sweating
• Lung resection for thoracic outlet syndrome
• Hiatal hernia repair
• Heller myotomy to release the muscle at the end of the esophagus

Laparoscopic and endoscopic surgeries
These surgeries use fewer incisions or no incisions. With fewer incisions, patients are at a lower risk for pain, bleeding and infection. Patients also have a faster recovery from surgery. Laparoscopic surgeries include:

• LINX magnetic ring for GERD to prevent stomach acid from entering the esophagus
• Endoscopic mucosal resection to remove damaged or cancerous areas of the esophagus
• Radiofrequency ablation to burn away cancerous or damaged cells
• Cryoablation to freeze away cancerous or damaged cells
• Transoral stapling of the diverticulum to treat Zenk’s divertuculum
• Per oral endoscopic myotomy to release the muscle at the end of the esophagus

Learn more about our thoracic surgery services→

At the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute, our highly skilled board certified and fellowship trained vascular surgeons perform a wide range of complex and endovascular procedures to treat all types of vascular diseases and conditions that involve healthy blood circulation using state-of-the-art technologies. The team provides comprehensive care – from urgent treatment of blocked blood flow to long-term treatment plans that address all your health needs, working closely with other specialties, ranging from cardiac surgery, cardiology, to interventional radiology and rehabilitation experts.

Our focus is to keep blood vessels healthy and blood circulating. We also work with other WVU Heart and Vascular Institute Centers of Excellence to diagnose and treat a full range of cardiovascular and other conditions. Conditions we treat include:

• Aortoiliac occlusive disease: This is a blocked aorta – your body’s main blood vessel ­– or blockage in the iliac arteries, which supply blood to your legs and pelvic organs.
• Abdominal aortic and other aneurysm: This and other types of aneurysm involve a bulging, weak spot in any blood vessel of your body, which could rupture.
• Traumatic injuries: Automotive accidents, severe burns, military wounds, frostbite, or other traumas can cause vascular infection, injuries and limb loss.
• Atherosclerosis. This disease involves plaque buildup that restricts or blocks blood flow in your arteries.
• Carotid (brain) arterial disease. This condition narrows blood vessels that carry blood and oxygen to your brain. We work with other WVU Heart and Vascular Institute Centers of Excellence to treat this, as well as coronary (heart) arterial disease.
• Carotid stenting
• Carotid endarterectomy
• Endovascular aorta treatment – Thoracic (TEVAR)
• Endovascular aorta treatment – Abdominal (EVAR)
• Fenestrated endovascular repair of Juxtarenal Aneurysms (F-EVAR)
• Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) – Limb Salvage
• Peripheral arterial disease (PAD): This condition is a slow, progressive circulation disorder that affects your legs and feet.
• Pulmonary (lung) embolism (PE): A blood clot that develops in a blood vessel in the leg or other part of your body can travel to a lung artery and abruptly block blood flow.
• Renovascular hypertension: High blood pressure can be caused by narrowing of the arteries that carry blood to the kidneys.
• Traumatic vascular injury
• Trans Carotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR)
• Varicose veins: Enlarged, twisted veins can develop throughout your body and often in your legs. They can become heavy and painful.
• Wounds: An open sore, incision or wound that won’t heal can be a severe health risk, leading to life-threatening infection. Wounds can involve ulcers, pressure sores, injuries, trauma, vascular disease, diabetes, circulation problems, burns, or other causes.
• Deep vein thrombosis: This is a blood clot that blocks a vein.

Treatment is determined by evidence-based, best therapy guidelines tailored to your needs. Care may include basic or advanced, minimally invasive endovascular therapies, including:

• Arterial plaque removal
• Balloon angioplasty – a procedure that widens blood vessels with a balloon-tipped catheter ­
• Dialysis Access and Renal (Kidney) Care. This may include fistula, graft, or catheter placement; HeRO (hemodialysis reliable outflow) device placement; and percutaneous fistula and graft repair.
• Stenting – insertion of narrow tubes that provide structural blood-vessel support
• Atherectomy ­– surgeons trim blockages within an artery using a tiny device attached to a slim, tube-like catheter
• Trans-tibial (below the knee) and pedal (foot and arch circulation) interventions

Our vascular surgeons also perform open bypass vascular procedures when indicated. This procedure uses a graft to redirect blood flow. We also treat people with kidney disease, including creating and maintaining blood vessel access for dialysis.

Limb Preservation
Vascular conditions are the leading cause of limb loss. This is tragically common in West Virginia. It is due in part to conditions such as diabetes, obesity, kidney disease and lifestyle habits such as smoking. Our vascular experts work with the Center for Limb Preservation – a distinguished WVU Medicine center of excellence. Learn more about this important center, including risk factors and how you can prevent limb loss.

We’ll work as a team to address pain and restore your ability to walk or regain lost functions. With severe cases – such as traumatic injuries, gangrene, or other advanced disease and tissue damage – we’ll do all we can to preserve the limb. We work closely with WVU Medicine nephrologists (kidney), diabetes educators, WVU Medicine’s Comprehensive Wound Care Center, and other specialists as needed throughout your care.

Learn more about our vascular surgery services→