Cardiothoracics

Beacon Hospital is home to Ireland’s most comprehensive private Cardiothoracic service.

Cardiothoracic surgery is a highly specialised area of surgery that involves procedures on the organs in the chest cavity, or thorax. At Beacon Hospital, our expert Cardiothoracic Surgeons consistently lead the way in bringing the latest in techniques to Ireland.

Patients may be referred from our Consultant Cardiologists to our Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeons where more invasive surgical treatments are required.

Contact:

Cardiac Ward (Level 3)

All surgical procedures are carried out in our state-of-the-art theatres which are fully equipped for the most complex of surgeries.

Our specialist ICU and CCUs are on hand to take patients for the initial stages of their recovery. Once initial recovery has taken place, patients will be transferred to our specialist cardiac ward on the third floor. Patients will remain in this specialised ward until they are well enough to return home. While in our specialist cardiac ward, patients will receive regular therapies to aid them in their recovery.

Typical procedures:

  • Aortic Valve Replacement (Tissue and Mechanical)

    An Aortic Valve Replacement is a procedure which treats diseases affecting the aortic valve. If there are problems with the Aortic Valve (damaged due to infection, rheumatic heart disease or birth defects), it can interfere with blood flow and force the heart to work harder to send blood around the body. Aortic Valve Replacement may be done through traditional open-heart surgery, which involves a cut (incision) in the chest, or by using minimally invasive methods, which involve smaller incisions in the chest, a catheter in the leg or chest.

    This can be completed in two ways, tissue or mechanical. Mechanical heart valve is made from materials such as titanium and carbon. Tissue valve are also known as biological or bioprosthetic valves, are composed of animal or human tissue. These valves are then adjusted to a flexible frame to assist in deployment during surgery.

  • Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG)

    A coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) is a surgical procedure used to treat coronary heart disease.

    Coronary heart disease often causes narrowing or clogging of major arteries with a substance referred to as plaque. As this plaque builds, it reduces the ability of blood flow and oxygen supply to the heart.

    A CABG involves taking blood vessels from a donor site, usually your arm or leg, and placing these to act as a bypass around the narrowed or blocked portion of your major artery. This restores blood flow and oxygen to your heart with almost instantaneous effect.

    This surgical procedure is carried out by one of our highly skilled and experienced Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeons under a General Anaesthetic. This means that you will be asleep while it takes place.

    Patients will usually remain in hospital for a few days post-procedure where they will be carefully monitored during the initial stages of their recovery.

  • Mitral Clipping / Appendage

    A Mitral Valve clip repairs your damaged Mitral Valve without the need for open-heart surgery. This procedure uses a small metal clip, about the size of a large staple, and its attached to your Mitral Valve via a vein in your leg. The clip stays there permanently and helps your valve to function as normal again.

    This procedure takes place if the Mitral Valve is not closing tightly enough, enabling blood to flow backwards from the bottom chamber into the upper chamber and towards the lungs. The purpose of a Mitral clipping is to prevent or minimize the amount of regurgitation through the valve.

  • Mitral Valve Replacement (Tissue and Mechanical)

    A Mitral Valve Replacement is a procedure which are performed to treat diseases of the mitral valve, the valve located between the left heart chambers.

    This procedure involves small incisions being made through the chest. The procedure can be completed in two ways, tissue or mechanical. Mechanical heart valve is made from materials such as titanium and carbon. Tissue valve are also known as biological or bioprosthetic valves, are composed of animal or human tissue. These valves are then adjusted to a flexible frame to assist in deployment during surgery.

  • Pneumonectomy

    Pneumonectomy is the surgical removal of a lung. This procedure is usually done as a treatment for cancer in suitable patients. These patients must have no evidence of cancer spread outside of the lung and be otherwise healthy enough to undergo the procedure.

    There are two ways to have this procedure completed; A traditional pneumonectomy is done to remove the cancer. In other words, the disease itself is removed from the lung.

    Alternatively, an extra-pleural pneumonectomy is where the diseased lung is removed in total. The procedure differs slightly between a traditional and an extra-pleural pneumonectomy, however in both cases, the surgeon will remove the lung. 

  • Tricuspid Valve Replacement

    The Tricuspid Valve is one of the four valves in the heart, which control the flow of blood through the heart. When valves come under infection or disease, they may need replacement in order to treat them.

    During this procedure, the surgeon will remove the patient’s original valve and replace it with either a tissue based or mechanical based valve. Replacement will help restore normal blood flow, reduce symptoms, improve survival in some people and help preserve the function of your heart muscle.

  • VAT Surgery

    Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery is a kind of minimally invasive thoracic surgery of the chest, performed with a thorascope (which is a small videoscope), using small incisions and special instruments to minimize trauma to any internal organs. This surgery is used to diagnose and treat a variety of conditions involving the chest area.

    During this procedure the surgeon makes several small cuts on the chest wall. The thorascope and other small tools will be inserted through these cuts into the internal cavity. Typically VATS is used to operate on the lung as an alternative to open surgery. However, it can be used to operate on the heart or other regions.