Expert care

Whether you need a common heart procedure or complex surgical care, Spectrum Health is the right place. From your first appointment through your recovery, you’ll receive exceptional care from surgeons, doctors and nurses dedicated to your whole health.

Experienced specialists trained in the latest technology and treatments means advanced surgical care for you—right here in West Michigan. At Spectrum Health Fred and Lena Meijer Heart Center in Grand Rapids, you’ll receive care in a place designed especially for the needs of cardiovascular patients and their families.

If your doctor recommends a heart procedure or surgery, meet with a Spectrum Health heart specialist to learn more about your options and what to expect. We may ask you to take some additional tests to help us determine the safest, most effective treatment for you.

Your doctor places a thin, flexible tube (catheter) into an artery in your thigh, arm or neck. Then, he or she gently guides the catheter to your heart. Your doctor can use special tools at the tip of the catheter to care for you. When the procedure is done, the catheter is removed.

If your condition can be treated using catheters instead of surgery, you may benefit from:

• Lower risk of complications
• Quicker recovery
• Shorter hospital stay
• Smaller scars

Our team is experienced in a wide range of catheter-based treatments, including:

• Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) – Improves or restores blood flow to your heart
• Protected PCI with Impella® – Improves or restores blood flow to your heart with the help of an Impella heart pump
• Catheter ablation – Treats an irregular heartbeat
• Left atrial appendage occlusion (Watchman™ procedure) – Seals off an area of the heart to help prevent stroke in people with atrial fibrillation
• Heart valve repair or replacement – including transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR)
• Atrial septal defect (ASD) and patent foramen ovale (PFO) closures – Close small holes between the heart’s upper chambers

Open heart surgery is surgery that involves opening your chest. Your surgeon makes a 6- to 8-inch incision and splits your sternum (breastbone) to access your heart. During surgery, you’re connected to a heart-lung bypass machine. This machine circulates oxygenated blood through your body while your surgical team works on your heart.

In most cases, you’ll stay in the hospital for [4 to 7 days] after open heart surgery. Then, you’ll spend several weeks recovering at home.

If you need coronary artery bypass surgery, rest assured you’re working with one of the most experienced surgical teams in Michigan. Our team performs more coronary artery bypass surgeries than anyone else in the state. This experience leads to better results—our patient outcomes are among the best in the nation.

Some heart surgeries can be performed using minimally invasive techniques. With this approach, your surgeon makes several small incisions and uses special handheld or robotic tools.

In most cases, you’ll stay in the hospital for [3 to 5 days] after minimally invasive heart surgery. Then, you’ll spend several weeks recovering at home.

Compared with traditional open surgery, a minimally invasive heart surgery can mean:

• Fewer restrictions after surgery
• Less pain
• Lower risk of complications
• Quicker recovery
• Shorter hospital stay
• Smaller scars

Spectrum Health may use minimally invasive techniques to perform:

• Mitral valve repair
• Ventricular assist device (VAD) placement

Receive comprehensive care that helps you heal and rebuild strength after surgery. Before you leave the hospital, we’ll make sure you have the information and resources you need to continue your recovery. If you live outside of Grand Rapids, ask your doctor about options for follow-up care in your community.