Cardiac Surgery

A large proportion of our patients undergo isolated coronary artery bypass grafting, including complex redo operations.

For each case, our surgeons select the most appropriate technique to minimize complications, ensure the highest-quality anastomoses, and achieve complete revascularization.

All types of grafts are used:

• Left and right internal mammary arteries
• Radial artery
• Gastroepiploic artery
• Venous grafts

All bypass techniques are applied:

• On-pump CABG (with cardiopulmonary bypass)
• Off-pump CABG (without cardiopulmonary bypass)
• On-pump beating-heart surgery

Valve procedures represent a significant part of our practice, performed either alone or in combination with other surgeries:

• Aortic valve replacement (AVR)
• Mitral valve replacement (MVR)
• Mitral valve repair (MVRepair)
• Tricuspid valve repair (TVRepair)
• Combined procedures with CABG or ascending aortic aneurysm repair

Our team has extensive expertise in all contemporary techniques for aortic valve replacement.

SAVR is performed using mechanical, bioprosthetic, or stentless valves.

In recent years, we were among the first centers in Greece to use sutureless valves, as well as transapical transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TA-TAVI) via the apex of the left ventricle.

Since 1994, as members of the Mitral Club, we have specialized in mitral valve repair techniques.

We have performed a large number of mitral valve repair procedures for both degenerative and ischemic disease.

Our department is among the few cardiac surgery departments in Greece and abroad performing surgical ventricular reconstruction (SVR). 

These procedures are indicated for left ventricular aneurysms following major or multiple myocardial infractions, or after mechanical complications such as cardiac rupture or ventricular septal defects.

SVR is often combined with CABG in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy, treating patients with a “weakened” or “tired” heart.

Our department is one of the few in Greece offering the full spectrum of thoracic aortic aneurysm surgery.

We perform procedures on the aortic root, ascending aorta, aortic arch, descending thoracic aorta, and thoracoabdominal aorta.                 

In collaboration with the Vascular Surgery and Interventional Radiology departments, we have established an Aortic Team. This multidisciplinary approach, comparable to leading international centers, allows us to treat highly complex cases that were previously considered inoperable.

Close collaboration with the hospital’s Cardiology Departments (Clinical, Interventional, and Cardiac Imaging) forms the Heart Team of Metropolitan Hospital.

The Heart Team is internationally recognized as essential for managing high-risk patients, such as candidates for transcatheter valve implantation (TAVI).

Few centers in Greece have experience in surgical treatment of obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Our department performs septal myectomy, with or without concomitant mitral valve procedures, for patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

We also have expertise in the modern surgical management of cardiac tumors (e.g., myxomas), using advanced techniques for safe and effective treatment.