Cardiac Surgery
Cardiac surgery is an operation on the heart or its major vessels to treat conditions such as blocked coronary arteries, diseased or leaking heart valves, rhythm disorders and aortic disease. It can be performed as traditional open surgery or, for suitable patients, through smaller minimally invasive or catheter-based approaches to restore healthy blood flow and heart function.
Medically reviewed by the Florence Healthcare medical team · Last reviewed June 2026
Overview
Cardiac surgery covers a range of operations — coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for blocked arteries, repair or replacement of heart valves, surgery for rhythm disorders, and operations on the aorta. Many of these can now be done through smaller incisions, with robotic assistance, or via a catheter (for example transcatheter valve replacement) when that is the better option for the patient.
Decisions are made by a combined heart team — cardiologists and cardiac surgeons together — so that medical, catheter-based and surgical options are weighed jointly rather than from one specialist's viewpoint. Advanced imaging and a dedicated cardiac intensive-care unit support every stage.
For international patients, a coordinator arranges appointments, a clear treatment plan and a transparent cost estimate before travel, including the expected number of nights in hospital and in the city. Cardiologists can review reports, ECGs and imaging remotely so you understand your options before deciding.
Who is a candidate?
- People with significant coronary artery disease not adequately controlled by medication or stenting
- Patients with severe heart-valve narrowing or leakage causing symptoms or strain on the heart
- Those with certain arrhythmias, or aortic aneurysm or dissection requiring surgical repair
- Patients fit enough to undergo and recover from heart surgery, as assessed by the heart team
- People seeking a second opinion to compare surgical, catheter-based and medical options
What happens
- 1
Assessment and planning
Tests such as echocardiography, coronary angiography or cardiac CT define the problem precisely. The heart team agrees the best approach with you — open, minimally invasive or catheter-based.
- 2
Preparation
Medications are reviewed and adjusted, and you are prepared for anesthesia. Your team explains the operation, the expected recovery and cardiac rehabilitation.
- 3
The operation
Under general anesthesia, the surgeon bypasses blocked arteries, repairs or replaces a valve, or repairs the aorta. Some procedures use a heart-lung machine; others are performed on a beating heart or via catheter.
- 4
Intensive-care recovery
You recover first in a cardiac intensive-care unit where your heart, breathing and circulation are monitored closely, then move to a cardiac ward as you stabilize.
- 5
Rehabilitation and follow-up
Structured cardiac rehabilitation rebuilds strength and confidence. You receive a recovery plan and follow-up schedule, with remote support available after you return home.
Benefits
- Restores healthy blood flow to the heart or corrects valve and rhythm problems
- Relieves symptoms such as chest pain and breathlessness and improves quality of life
- Can significantly improve long-term prognosis in well-selected patients
- Minimally invasive and robotic approaches can mean smaller incisions and a faster recovery
- Catheter-based valve options (such as TAVI) treat selected patients without open surgery
Risks & considerations
- Bleeding, infection and reaction to anesthesia, as with any major surgery
- Stroke or rhythm disturbances, which the team monitors for and manages
- Kidney or lung strain in the early recovery period
- A recovery of several weeks before returning to full activity
- In some cases, the need for further procedures or lifelong medication
Conditions this treats
Where it is performed
This procedure is delivered by our Heart Center.
Learn more before you decide
Provider-reviewed guides on the related conditions, symptoms and tests in our Health Library.
Cardiac Surgery — frequently asked questions
It treats blocked coronary arteries (with bypass surgery), diseased or leaking heart valves, certain rhythm disorders, and aortic disease such as aneurysms — restoring blood flow and heart function.
Yes. Where it is clinically appropriate, our surgeons use minimally invasive, robotic-assisted and catheter-based techniques (such as TAVI for valve disease) that can mean smaller incisions, less time in hospital and a faster recovery.
Yes. Send your reports, ECG and imaging and our cardiologists and surgeons provide an independent opinion remotely, so medical, interventional and surgical options are weighed together before you travel.
Most people return to light activity within a few weeks and to full activity over six to twelve weeks, supported by cardiac rehabilitation. Your team gives you a personalized recovery timeline.
Heart surgery typically means around five to ten nights in hospital, plus follow-up before you fly home — your coordinator confirms the exact plan. After reviewing your case we prepare a transparent estimate that itemizes consultations, tests, the procedure, hospital stay, surgeon and anesthesia fees and follow-up. We don't publish fixed prices because each case differs.
Related treatments
Considering cardiac surgery?
Share your reports for a medical second opinion and a transparent, itemized cost estimate — usually within 48 hours.