Cardiac Surgery

Cardiac surgery has been performed by Oregon Clinic cardiothoracic surgeons since the 1960's. The data displayed in this web site illustrates The Thoracic and CardioVascular Section of the Oregon Clinic’s current case volume and results for coronary artery bypass (CAB), cardiac valve surgery, combinations of CAB/valve surgery as well as other heart operations which includes aneurysms and disease of the great vessels, aortic dissections and adult manifestations of congenital heart disease.

Heart Transplantation and Mechanical Ventricular Assistance

In 1999, Providence Heart Institute and The Thoracic & CardioVascular Section of The Oregon Clinic surgeons and cardiologists initiated a heart transplantation program at Providence Portland Medical Center. The Providence Heart Transplantation Program received approval by the United Network of Organ Sharing in July 1999. A mechanical ventricular assistance program was initiated at the same time in conjunction with the Heart Failure Clinic, thus providing all therapeutic possibilities in the modern management of heart failure. Dr. Ott is the Surgical Director of Heart Failure & Transplantation. Several patients supported by assist devices have undergone successful heart transplantation. The data displayed in this web site indicates case volume.

Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery

In the 1990's, The Thoracic and CardioVascular Section of the Oregon Clinic’s surgeons performed the first minimally invasive coronary artery bypass and the first minimally invasive valve replacement in the Portland area. An ongoing minimally invasive cardiac surgery program has been the result of these pioneering efforts. Dr. Douville heads this effort. Off pump coronary artery bypass is often performed by our cardiothoracic surgeons. Dr. Tsen has a special interest in minimally invasive cardiac valve surgery. Aspects and outcomes of minimally invasive cardiac surgery can be seen within the web site surgery data.

Thoracic Surgery Program

The Thoracic Clinic, a founding and integral component of The Oregon Clinic (see history section of web site), was one of the earliest specialist clinics in the United States of America. The Thoracic and CardioVascular Section of The Oregon Clinic has a long history of the highest volume of thoracic surgery in the state of Oregon and one of the highest in the Pacific Northwest. Our web site data indicates thoracic surgery case volume and results of operations on the chest wall and lining, esophagus, mediastinum, pericardium, lungs and VATS. The most advanced, multi-disciplinary thoracic surgery care is offered by The Thoracic and CardioVascular Section of The Oregon Clinic including minimally invasive videoscopic techniques. In 2004, Providence Health Systems partnered with The Oregon Clinic and formalized the region-wide Providence Thoracic Surgery Program. Dr Handy is the Director.

Thoracic Oncology Program

In 1999, collaboration between Oregon Clinic cardiothoracic surgeons, pulmonologists, radiation oncologists, gastroenterologists and radiologists, working in association with medical oncology groups and pathologists as well as Providence Health Systems established the working group which ultimately became the Providence Thoracic Oncology Program (TOP). TOP provides state of the art, coordinated, multi-disciplinary management of cancer in the chest. Lung and esophagus cancers are emphasized. Smoking prevention, smoking cessation as well as cutting-edge clinical and basic science chest cancer research are areas of programmatic focus.

Dr. Handy is the Co-Director of the Providence Thoracic Oncology Program. The Thoracic and CardioVascular Section of The Oregon Clinic surgeons perform state of the art chest cancer surgery with special emphasis on minimally invasive techniques and long term functional outcomes after surgery. Dr Handy has expertise in interventional therapy of complex airway disease, especially laser treatment and stent placement. Dr Handy developed minimally invasive lung and esophageal surgery programs. Multiple regional and national scientific presentations have come out of this clinical work. The Thoracic and CardioVascular Section of the Oregon Clinic’s surgeons are members of the American College of Surgeons Oncology Group (ACOSOG) and participate in multiple, national chest cancer surgery trials within ACOSOG. Each surgeon is a member of the Columbia River Oncology Program (CROP), a regional initiative to provide clinical research protocols to the residents of Oregon and SE Washington.

Vascular Surgery Program

TCVS surgeons have cared for and operated upon patients with peripheral vascular disease for over 40 years. The program is multidisciplinary involving the entire spectrum of physician disciplines (cardiovascular surgeons, interventional radiologists, podiatry and the patient’s personal physician), allowing for the best option to be recommended. We have special emphasis on minimally invasive solutions.

Carotid Artery Occlusive Disease

Options for patients include medical risk factor reduction, carotid stenting and carotid endarterectomy, depending upon the clinical situation. We are participants in the CREST trial, a national trial comparing carotid stenting and carotid endarterectomy. Every patient for whom a procedure is indicated is considered for stenting or carotid surgery, through multidisciplinary discussion. Carotid endarterectomy outcomes by TCVS surgeons are superior as displayed in the section “Patient Information” under TCVS outcomes data.

Aortic Aneurysm

Options include open aneurysm repair with interposition grafting or endoluminal aortic stent grafting in conjunction with our interventional cardiology colleagues. Endoluminal stent grafting is performed in the operating room under general anesthesia. Patients are generally ready for discharge the morning following the procedure. We have performed 10 endoluminal aortic stent grafts for abdominal aortic aneurysm in the past 12 months, with no deaths and no endoleaks on followup. This less invasive option clearly improves recovery after aneurysm repair in eligible patients. Both open and endoluminal stent graft repair of abdominal and thoracic aortic aneurysms are part of this multidisciplinary peripheral vascular program.