Penn has maintained a high volume of coronary
surgeries by offering technological innovations
and advanced surgical techniques. The strength
of our cardiovascular surgery program reflects
strong referral networks and acument in high-risk
care.
Minimally invasive surgical techniques
like off-pump CABG (OPCAB) reduce
blood loss, length of stay and
operative mortality. In 2006, 29.4%
of CABG surgeries performed at
Penn were isolated off-pump procedures,
exceeding the 19.5% reported by
The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
(STS) National Database during
the same period for OPCAB procedures
at hospitals nationwide.
The expected operative mortality of patients presenting at Penn offers an indication
of the severity of their illness. Observed mortality at Penn demonstrates expertise
yielding superior outcomes.
