Pioneers of Cardiac Surgery is a remarkable and unique account of the history of cardiovascular surgery. . . . Much of the information helps to clarify which contributor deserves a so-called 'first' in the field. I found the book fascinating and absorbing, and have spent enjoyable hours in reading how those pioneers overcame obstacles social, ethical, and forbidding which threatened their personal reputations. Many were objects of criticism by skeptics who mostly stood on the sidelines while exciting new developments appeared. The book should serve as a reference for any surgeon or physician interested in an authentic account of the history of the remarkable achievements of the era. --Denton A. Cooley, MD This volume's appeal is unique, in that it consists of material derived from personal interviews with the giants of the specialty and filtered through the discerning eye of an active participant and a giant of the specialty himself. The end result serves to humanize these individuals . . . . I recommend this volume to cardiothoracic surgeons of all ages. The older among us will revel, as I did, in the recalled memories of earlier times, and the younger surgeons will take inspiration from the similarities in the … Continue reading →

AppointmentsWhat to Expect Patients come from across the country and around the globe to the Miller Family Heart and Vascular Institute for heart surgery. We want to make the process as easy as possible for you. The surgical review is a three step process. At every step in the process we are here to answer your questions. Toll-free877.843.2781 (877-8Heart1) Use our secure online form to submit an appointment request 24/7. We will receive it and follow-up with you as soon as possible. Mon. - Fri., 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (ET):toll-free877.843.2781 (877-8Heart1) At all other times call Patient Access Services locally 216.444.8302 or toll-free 800.553.5056. Go to Desk J4-1, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio. Cleveland Clinic Heart and Vascular Institute physicians, surgeons, and researchers continue to research into new treatments and therapies with the goal of improving patient care and outcomes into the future. Patients who choose to come to Miller Family Heart & Vascular Institute for heart surgery can expect to be operated on by the best surgeons and cared for by the finest nurses and medical staff in the world. The Heart Surgery Program at Cleveland Clinic has been fine tuned from years of experience with patients and … Continue reading →

What Are Holes in the Heart? Holes in the heart are simple congenital (kon-JEN-ih-tal) heart defects. Congenital heart defects are problems with the heart's structure that are present at birth. These defects change the normal flow of blood through the heart. Your heart has two sides, separated by an inner wall called the septum. With each heartbeat, the right side of your heart receives oxygen-poor blood from your body and pumps it to your lungs. The left side of your heart receives oxygen-rich blood from your lungs and pumps it to your body. The septum prevents mixing of blood between the two sides of the heart. However, some babies are born with holes in the upper or lower septum. A hole in the septum between the heart's two upper chambers is called an atrial septal defect (ASD). A hole in the septum between the heart's two lower chambers is called a ventricular septal defect (VSD). ASDs and VSDs allow blood to pass from the left side of the heart to the right side. This means that oxygen-rich blood can mix with oxygen-poor blood. As a result, some oxygen-rich blood is pumped to the lungs instead of out to the body. … Continue reading →