Cardiac Surgery - Los Angeles, CA

Why choose UCLA Health for heart surgery?

Our heart surgeons are leaders in their respective fields and work collaboratively with multiple teams across UCLA Health to provide multi-disciplinary care. We use advanced techniques to treat all types of heart conditions.

Additional highlights of our services include:

Legacy of innovation: In 1955, our doctors built the first blood oxygenator and heart-lung machine. Now, our heart surgeons continue to pioneer new technologies with an emphasis on patient safety, comfort and recovery.

Minimally invasive treatments: We use minimally invasive techniques, including robotic surgery, for many conditions. These treatments may offer faster recovery, less pain, and shorter hospital stays.

Expertise in heart transplants: In 1982, we performed the first heart transplant in Southern California. Now, we lead robust Heart Transplant and Mechanical Circulatory Support Programs. Our Alternate Donor Program enables thousands of patients who don’t meet usual transplant criteria to receive a donor organ.

Our areas of care

Our surgeons use advanced surgical techniques to treat a range of heart conditions. Cardiac surgery programs and services include:

Aortic disease surgery
Arrhythmia correction surgery
Coronary revascularization (bypass surgery)
Heart failure surgery
Heart valve surgery
Robotic mitral valve surgery

Heart conditions we treat

Many types of heart conditions require surgery. Some of the most common include:

Angina: Chest pain that occurs when there is not enough blood flow to the heart

Aortic aneurysm: An irregular bulge in the aorta, the artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body

Arrhythmia: An irregular heartbeat, when the heart beats too fast, too slowly or unevenly

Cardiomyopathy: Thickening of the heart muscle in the lower left heart chamber, which causes the heart to work harder to pump blood

Congenital heart disease: Heart abnormality that’s present at birth

Coronary artery disease: Plaque buildup in the arteries that carry oxygen-rich blood to the heart

Heart failure: A progressive condition in which the heart weakens and doesn’t pump blood as well as it should

Structural heart and valve disease: Problem with the structure of the heart or with one of the four heart valves

Heart surgeries we offer

Our surgeons perform all types of heart surgeries, including complex and advanced ones. Some of the procedures we offer include:

Aortic aneurysm repair: Repairs a weak spot in the aorta to prevent it from rupturing

Arrythmia ablation (catheter ablation): Uses hot or cold energy to block irregular electrical signals in the heart and correct an abnormal heart rhythm

Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG): Redirects blood around blocked or narrowed arteries to improve blood flow in order to treat coronary artery disease or prevent heart attack

Maze procedure: Creates a small pattern of tiny scars (maze) in the upper heart chambers (atria) to correct an irregular heart rhythm (atrial fibrillation)

Heart transplant: Replaces a diseased or failing heart with a healthier donor one

Valve repair or replacement: Repairs a damaged heart valve or replaces it with a donor or mechanical one

Meet the team

Our cardiac surgeons are leaders in treatment, research and education. We use advanced techniques, and most of our surgical outcome rates exceed the national averages.