Cardiothoracic Surgery

A minimally invasive approach to all heart surgeries

At Lankenau Heart Institute in the suburbs of Philadelphia you’ll benefit from a surgical team experienced in performing complex yet minimally invasive operations on the heart and great vessels.

At the core of our cardiac surgery program are internationally renowned specialists who are leaders in this field. Our expertise spans the full spectrum of cardiac surgery and includes groundbreaking applications of minimally invasive and robotic-assisted techniques. Minimally invasive cardiac surgery is associated with increased survival rates as well as less postoperative pain, reduced risk of stroke, avoidance of blood products, quicker return to daily activities, and improved quality of life.

Why choose Lankenau Heart Institute for cardiac surgery

We continue the tradition of excellence, innovation and research in cardiac surgical care earned over the past 50 years by Lankenau Medical Center, our namesake, which is ranked fifth in the state of Pennsylvania and second in the Philadelphia region for overall heart surgery volume.

We also offer advanced cardiac surgery care at Paoli Hospital where patients have convenient access to expert heart surgeons, leading-edge treatments and clinical trials in a world-class facility that includes our state-of-the-art Pavilion and trauma center.

In 2015, more than 60 percent of our cardiac surgical procedures were performed using a minimally invasive approach.

Cardiovascular clinical trials at Main Line Health

Main Line Health uses clinical trials to help prevent, diagnose and treat the full range of heart and aortic conditions. Learn more about the cardiovascular clinical trials currently being offered by our renowned cardiologists and heart and aortic surgeons.

Related specialties

Structural Heart and Valvular Disease Program

At Main Line Health, we treat structural heart and valvular disease that other centers have deemed untreatable. Our team of cardiologists, imaging specialists, interventionists and surgeons is among the most experienced in the region. Learn more about Main Line Health's structural heart and Valvular disease program.

Peripheral Artery and Venous Disease Program

Our team evaluates your risk factors and uses the latest treatment advances and novel techniques to restore blood flow throughout your body and to minimize your risk for heart attack, stroke and amputation.

Heart Failure

Causes of heart failure include coronary artery disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity, which may contribute to weakening or stiffening the heart.

Cardio-Oncology Program

Lankenau Heart Institute cardiologists with expertise in cancer-related heart problems are working with oncology colleagues across Main Line Health to coordinate cancer treatment with heart care. Main Line Health Cardio-Oncology Program is devoted to protecting heart health after a cancer diagnosis.

Cardiac Rehabilitation

Of patients who have completed cardiac rehabilitation program at a Main Line Health facility, 95 percent show improvement in functional ability and 100 percent of patients report overall improvement in their quality of life.

Philadelphia Goes Red for Women

Through Go Red for Women, Main Line Health and the American Heart Association (AHA) are committed to unlocking new strategies—grounded in science—that provide women with the resources and tools they need to live a heart healthy lifestyle at every age.

Vascular Surgery

Our surgeons perform hundreds of procedures to open blocked arteries and restore healthy blood flow with traditional open surgery as well as minimally invasive and endovascular interventions.