The Erlanger Heart and Lung Institute is home to nationally renowned innovators in minimally invasive robotic heart surgery. Performing highly advanced, life-saving procedures through small incisions, our heart surgery team is taking cardiac care to the next level in our region and beyond. For patients, this means faster recovery with less pain and a shorter hospital stay.We offer a wide range of surgical options including open sternotomy and minimally invasive/advanced robotic surgery for coronary revascularization or heart valve repairs, and off-pump/beating-heart surgery.
Advanced Hybrid Procedures
Our surgeons collaborate closely with our cardiologists, cardiac anesthesiologists, interventionalists, and electrophysiologists to provide the most advanced hybrid treatments. Hybrid procedures combine the advantages of cardiac surgery and interventional (catheter-based) approaches to offer patients the best both treatment worlds. Our hybrid options include convergent procedures, left atrial appendage occlusions, robotic maze, and TAVR/robotic cases.
Advanced Cardiothoracic Robotic Surgery
Single or double vessel revascularization
Mitral valve repairs and replacements
Atricure maze procedures
Left atrial appendage occlusions
Pericardial windows
Open Cardiac Procedures
Multi-vessel revascularization
Aortic valve replacements
Mitral valve repair/replacements
Tricuspid valve repair/replacements
Extensive left ventricular outflow track (LVOT) repairs
Left ventricular (LV) aneurysms
ASD/VAD/PFO closures
Advanced Aortic Surgery
Valve replacement with mechanical, animal, or human homograft valves
David procedures - aortic valve and root reconstruction
Bentall and Ross procedures
Total arch, hemi arch, and head vessel reimplantation
Frozen elephant trunks into descending aorta
Advanced Atrial Fibrillation Surgery
Maze procedures
Convergent cases
Left atrial appendage clips and ligations
Circulatory Support
Veno-arterial (VA)/veno-venous (VV) ECMO implantation and removal with extensive management
Intra-aortic balloon pump insertion, removal, and management
Cardiac Surgery Providers
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Patient Stories
Chest Pain on the Road - Rick’s Story
Rick Perry started having chest pains while driving his semi-truck from central Alabama to Chattanooga. After making a delivery at Volkswagen Chattanooga, he called for medical help. He’s grateful that call led him to Erlanger and Dr. Larry Shears.
"Listen To Your Body" - Susan's Story
On her morning walks, Susan Fennema began experiencing chest pressure and upper-back aches - symptoms of heart disease which ran in her family. She was alarmed, but delayed emergency care because the symptoms went away after exercise. Susan is glad her journey ultimately led to the Erlanger Heart and Lung Institute.
Hiatal Hernia or Blocked Arteries? - Mike's Story
What Mike Schrader thought was a hiatal hernia turned out to be four blocked arteries to his heart. He is thankful to get this fixed with quadruple bypass surgery from Dr. Larry Shears and cardiac rehabilitation that helped him resume normal activities.
Widowmaker Heart Attack - Peter's Story
The last thing Pete McFarlane remembered was feeling dizzy after a workout. Six days later he woke up in ICU at Erlanger. He’d had a “widow-maker” heart attack – a sudden 100% blockage of the LAD artery. Today Peter is grateful to be active again and even climbing new mountains in this life.
Tumor on Cardiac Artery - Carolyn's Story
“Multidisciplinary” is a medical buzz word for some. But for Carolyn Taylor, it’s a life-saving word that set’s Erlanger apart. When a dangerous mass was discovered on her right kidney and a major artery to her heart, she received care from three top-notch specialists working closely together – representing heart surgery, urology, and gynecologic oncology. She's now back on the job as a clerk at the Soddy-Daisy police department.
Expert Care for Heart Attack - Mickel's Story
After having a heart attack in his classroom, Georgia teacher Mickel Kobeck is grateful for fellow teachers who knew CPR - and expert care he received from the Erlanger Heart and Lung Institute.
“Most People Don’t Live through This” - Shirley’s Story
An aortic dissection is often fatal. Luckily, Shirley Lipscomb was quickly taken to the Erlanger Heart and Lung Institute where Dr. Larry Shears performed the delicate repair.
Fast Action, World-Class Care Helped John Survive Aortic Tear - John's Story
John Querry of Blue Ridge, GA, knew something was wrong when heard a pop in his low back. An astute ER physician determined John had suffered a deadly aortic rupture.
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