Heart Surgery

For many people with sudden or hard-to-treat cardiovascular problems, heart surgery offers the best chance of recovery—and a second chance at life.
Request an Appointment
For requests:
1-800-777-8442
For Cardiothoracic Surgery related requests:
1-319-356-7102
For Heart and Vascular related requests:
1-319-356-7102

If you need heart surgery, you shouldn’t trust your heart to just anyone. Make sure you choose a health care team that has lots of experience performing cardiac procedures and offers the care and support you’ll need after surgery.

University of Iowa Heart and Vascular Center cardiothoracic surgeons perform more planned and emergency heart surgeries than any other providers in the state.

We also offer advanced procedures that aren’t widely available. These include:

Iowa's most complete heart surgery program

When you choose the UI Heart and Vascular Center, you won’t undergo a one-size-fits-all procedure. Because we offer every type of heart surgery, we can select the option that best meets your medical needs, risk factors, and goals.

Our areas of expertise include:

  • Open heart surgery: Even though open heart surgery is considered major surgery, it’s often the best option for younger, healthy patients. That’s because certain procedures, including structural repairs and valve replacements, offer better long-term durability when performed using traditional, open techniques.
  • Transcatheter heart procedures: These procedures, also known as transcatheter or percutaneous procedures, offer a safe alternative in cases where open heart surgery is too risky. Instead of opening your chest, we reach your heart by guiding flexible devices (catheters) through your blood vessels.
  • Minimally invasive heart surgery: Not every heart surgery has a transcatheter alternative. But many surgical treatments can still be performed using less invasive techniques and smaller skin incisions. These procedures include minimally invasive valve surgery and robotic-assisted coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). They offer the durability of open heart surgery and may also help you recover more quickly.

Leaders in heart surgery research

Our heart surgeons are also researchers, helping to develop, test, and refine new techniques that make heart surgery safer and more effective.

Members of our team took part in the landmark PARTNER clinical trials, which helped confirm the safety and efficacy of TAVR. They also helped lead research studies that led to the approval of robotic-assisted CABG.

We were also the first in Iowa to enroll in the international CLASP trial to test transcatheter tricuspid valve repair. This treatment benefits patients with tricuspid valve regurgitation for whom surgery is too risky.

Because we take part in research studies like these, our patients are often among the first to have promising new surgical treatments.

Enhancing your heart surgery recovery

We offer all the services you might need to make a full recovery. These include:

Cardiovascular intensive care

Our cardiovascular intensive care unit is reserved for patients recovering from heart surgery or a serious heart condition. It’s staffed by doctors, nurses, and other providers with advanced training in cardiac critical care.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)

ECMO is a type of life support that can help your heart rest and recover after major surgery. We’re among a handful of health systems worldwide to be named an ECMO Gold Level Center of Excellence. This is the highest standard in critical care, and we’re the only program in Iowa with this distinction.

Cardiac rehabilitation

We offer a tailored exercise and education program designed to strengthen your heart after surgery and help you function better at home or work. You’ll have access to aerobic and strength training exercises, smoking cessation classes, and consultations with our registered dietitians.

Advanced specialty care

If you need any extra cardiovascular care after heart surgery, UI Heart and Vascular Center can provide it. We offer the full range of heart and vascular services, including cardiac imaging and remote monitoring for patients who have a pacemaker or are living with heart failure.

Heart Surgery tests and treatments

Heart Surgery conditions treated

Our Care Team

Mohammad Bashir, MBBS portrait

Mohammad
Bashir
MBBS

  • Cardiothoracic Surgery
4.79 out of 5 (786 ratings)
Ali S. Nasr, MD, PhD, FETCS, FACS portrait

Ali S.
Nasr
MD, PhD, FETCS, FACS

  • Cardiothoracic Surgery
Anthony L. Panos, MD portrait

Anthony L.
Panos
MD

  • Cardiothoracic Surgery
4.75 out of 5 (314 ratings)
Arun K. Singhal, MD, PhD portrait

Arun K.
Singhal
MD, PhD

  • Cardiothoracic Surgery
4.68 out of 5 (564 ratings)
Margery Amelon, ARNP portrait

Margery
Amelon
ARNP

  • Cardiothoracic Surgery
Melissa Collier, ARNP portrait

Melissa
Collier
ARNP

  • Cardiothoracic Surgery
Cassie Doolady, ARNP, DNP portrait

Cassie
Doolady
ARNP, DNP

4.74 out of 5 (50 ratings)
Randi J. Key, ARNP portrait

Randi J.
Key
ARNP

  • Cardiothoracic Surgery
Becky Schafer, ARNP, MSN, BSN, ADN portrait

Becky
Schafer
ARNP, MSN, BSN, ADN

  • Cardiothoracic Surgery
Jessica Stevens, ARNP portrait

Jessica
Stevens
ARNP

  • Cardiothoracic Surgery

Need a heart surgeon?

Has your doctor referred you for a heart surgery consultation? If so, we’ll help you find a heart surgeon who can recommend the right procedure for your symptoms or condition.
Call 1-800-777-8442 Request an appointment Refer a patient

Locations and Offices

Heart and Vascular Center
4800 John Pappajohn Pavilion (JPP)
Level 4, Elevator I
1-319-356-7102
Clinic
UI Heart and Vascular Center Interior location image at UI Hospitals & Clinics
In Medical Center
200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242

Patient Stories

When John needed heart surgery, he found an expert he trusted, close to home
August 15, 2022
The UI Heart and Vascular Center offers advanced surgical expertise and the latest technology for valve replacement and repair.
Two months after open-heart surgery, Dan completes fall harvest
April 20, 2021
When he needed complex surgery to replace his aorta and stop an infection, Dan placed his trust in the experts at the UI Heart and Vascular Center.
Dan Berns on the farm
Browse more stories

Related News

UI Heart and Vascular Center unveils new state-of-the-art cardiac cath labs
January 17, 2023
Easier access to services at Iowa’s only comprehensive center for advanced cardiac care
UI Heart and Vascular Center offers first non-surgical treatment for tricuspid valve regurgitation in Iowa
May 27, 2022
Interventional cardiologist Sidakpal Panaich, MBBS with patient (This photo taken prior to COVID-19)

Awards and Recognition

Top cardiac surgery program in U.S.
Our cardiac surgery program is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best places in the country for patient care. Only the best hospitals nationally receive this rating based on patient survival, length of stay, number of patients seen, and more.