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Cardiovascular Surgery

Our remarkable ability to save hearts and lives comes from our advanced technology, experienced specialists and extraordinary teamwork.

Since performing the first open-heart surgery in the East Bay in the 1960s, we have pioneered many advances, resulting in outstanding outcomes for our patients.

As one of the largest programs in the state of California, we have the experience that comes from successfully completing a high volume of procedures, including:

Because of the exceptional care we provide, Alta Bates Summit Medical Center has been repeatedly recognized by the Office of Statewide Health Planning (OSHPD) as the only hospital in the Bay Area to achieve better than expected outcomes for postoperative stroke following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.

Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery

We are one of the leaders in developing minimally invasive heart surgery. Alta Bates Summit Medical Center was the first center on the West Coast and the second center in the United States to use minimally invasive vein harvesting during coronary artery bypass surgery.

Since then, we’ve expanded our minimally invasive techniques to include valve repair and replacement known as port access valve surgery, and we are a teaching center for this technique.

Port Access Valve Surgery
This minimally invasive procedure has revolutionized the way in which surgeons repair or replace diseased and dysfunctional heart valves. Read more about port access valve surgery.

Transmyocardial Revascularization (TMR)

Transmyocardial Revascularization (TMR) is an innovative laser surgery that relieves severe chest pain (angina).

Maze Procedure

The Maze Procedure cures irregular heartbeats due to atrial fibrillation (AF) by interrupting irregular electrical patterns. The procedure creates a maze within the heart so the electrical impulse travels only along a specific route. This stops the irregular heartbeat and restores proper heart rhythm.

Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery (Heart Bypass Surgery)

When the coronary arteries become blocked, the heart can’t get enough oxygen, which can cause chest pain, shortness of breath or a heart attack. Coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) restores blood flow by diverting it around the blocked section of an artery.

About the Cardiovascular Center of Excellence

At Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, our heart specialists deliver compassionate patient care using leading-edge procedures, to patients living throughout the San Francisco East Bay area. While our cardiac services are located in Berkeley and Oakland, patients come to our heart center from Hayward, Pleasanton, Lafayette, and other East Bay communities as well as from greater California and the United States to seek the best cardiac hospital care available. Our experienced team of top heart and cardiovascular specialists strive to work with each patient to identify the best treatment options for heart and vascular conditions. Whether you need a top heart surgeon (or specialist), a cardiac specialist, a vascular or thoracic surgeon, or one of our best-in-class cardiothoracic specialists - our doctors, nurses and technologists will work with you to strive for the best cardiovascular care for your unique needs. We strive to be the best cardiac hospital not just in the San Francisco East Bay but for every patient who enters our heart center, whether they come from Oakland, Berkeley, or beyond the Bay Area.