About Ohio State’s Division of Cardiac Surgery 

The Ohio State Heart and Vascular Center cardiac surgery team brings together highly skilled surgeons, the most advanced technology and world-class facilities to deliver exceptional surgical heart care.

We specialize in the treatment of the most complex cardiac surgery patients with less invasive therapies, complex reoperations, coronary artery bypass surgery, heart valve surgery, aortic surgery, endovascular and transcatheter procedures, heart and lung transplantation, mechanical circulatory support and ECMO. Our faculty are leaders in the education and training of the next generation of cardiac surgeons attracting the best and the brightest to our Cardiothoracic Fellowship Program. Our researchers focus on the development of new and less invasive therapies to prevent and treat heart disease.

Our team of highly skilled cardiac surgeons are focused on pushing the forefront of research and procedures to advance our field and the care we provide our patients. As a high-volume quaternary referral center, we tackle some of the most complex patient cases in the state and surrounding region.

As central Ohio’s only adult transplant center, we feature a robust heart and lung transplant program as well as a large mechanical circulatory support program evaluating the most advanced therapies for our patients.

Structural Heart and Valvular Heart Disease

The Ohio State University Heart and Vascular Center’s Structural Heart Disease Program is a leader in providing patients with heart valve disease access to the newest and most advanced treatments.

As a research leader in the area, we have participated in and helped lead nearly all of the trials to evaluate groundbreaking therapies for patients with structural heart disease, notably for transcatheter aortic valve replacement. Our dedicated program offers access to the most advanced treatments and options for every condition. We have assembled a team of experts including interventional cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, dedicated nursing staff and other specialists who collaborate around each patient to ensure our patients receive the most comprehensive care available.

Advanced Heart Failure

Ohio State’s Heart and Vascular Center has the most extensive advanced heart failure treatment program in central Ohio, treating more than 2,000 heart failure patients each year. We offer our patients access to every available option including bridge-to-transplant therapies such as LVAD and Total Artificial Heart implant, along with heart transplantation.

Advanced heart failure care is managed by a multidisciplinary team including cardiac surgeons and heart failure specialists, supported by a dedicated team of nurse practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, dietitians to provide a level of care not found elsewhere.

Adult Congenital Heart Disease

Ohio State’s Adult Congenital Heart Disease program offers seamless transition for patients moving from pediatric to adult congenital care. Our partnership with the cardiac surgery team at the renowned Nationwide Children’s Hospital allows us to work in tandem to perform complex procedures on patients here at the Ross Heart Hospital.

Aortic Disease

The Ohio State Aortic Center combines the expertise of highly skilled physicians including cardiac surgeons, vascular surgeons and cardiologists to provide a tailored approach to each patient’s care. This includes conventional surgery and new, minimally invasive procedures. In addition to scheduled aortic procedures, the Aortic Center also provides treatment for emergent and life threatening aneurysms.

Coronary Revascularization

As a tertiary referral center, our surgeons treat the most complex patient cases from across the entire state and region. Coronary revascularization at Ohio State includes both Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) and the use of total arterial anaortic off-pump coronary artery bypass graft (OPCABG). This unique procedure, not performed elsewhere in the state, is indicated for patients of advanced age with complex comorbidities that make them high-risk candidates for traditional surgery.

Extracorporeal Life Support (ECLS) Program

We provide ECLS or ECMO therapy when ventilators or hemodynamic support haven’t significantly improved a patient’s condition. The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center is a high-volume ECMO center capable of managing complex end-stage heart and/or lung failure, treating over 100 patients annually with ECMO. Our highly skilled team works under the direction of Ohio State cardiac surgeons and critical care anesthesiologists.

Improving outcomes for transplant patients

Bryan Whitson, MD, PhD, a cardiothoracic surgeon at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, discusses how his team at the Ohio State Heart and Vascular Center is advancing research to make more lungs, hearts, kidneys and livers viable for transplantation.

More about the division

Outstanding Cardiac Surgical Care

Aortic dissection targets two siblings, saved by same surgeon

When Larry Smith felt a "pop" in his chest and went to the hospital, he and his brother Samuel realized it was a familiar situation. Six months earlier, their sister Earlie had experienced the same issue, treated by the same surgeon, Dr. Matthew Henn, who was on call both times for their rare aortic dissection.

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Man with Marfan syndrome on road to recovery after lifesaving heart and vascular surgeries

22 year-old Jared Kaiser, faced a life-threatening tear in his aorta. Through the Aortic Center at the Ohio State Heart and Vascular Center, cardiac and vascular surgery experts came together to perform several surgeries to save him, ultimately replacing his entire aorta.

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Dr. Kukbin Choi in operation room wearing surgical loops

From surgeon to patient: open-heart surgery’s humbling lesson

Dr. Christopher Iobst, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon at Nationwide Children’s Hosptial, had a heart attack at work despite his healthy lifestyle. He received emergency care from Ohio State cardiac surgeon Dr. Kukbin Choi, which was crucial to his recovery. Dr. Iobst now emphasizes the importance of self-care and regular checkups for physicians.

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Patient success story: Surgery for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

After Paul Colgan collapsed in his kitchen, he learned that he had an abdominal aortic aneurysm. He was treated at The Ohio State University Heart and Vascular Center. Paul attributes his now excellent health to his cardiologist, surgeons and care teams at Ohio State’s Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital.

Patient Success Story: Scott Griffith

It's common for a patient to recover from a major medical surgery with a renewed energy — a desire to live life to the fullest. And although Scott led an incredibly active life before having a heart transplant, he’s lived plenty of meaningful moments in the years since.

Ex-vivo lung feature

The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center’s Comprehensive Transplant Center is the first in Ohio and among only a handful nationwide to test a novel method that could potentially double the number of available lungs for transplantation and save more of the 35 million Americans suffering from chronic lung disease.