The London Bridge Hospital has established an international reputation for heart surgery. The cardiothoracic unit has 30 beds and incorporates a 4 bed high dependency unit (HDU) and a 4 bed day case area (CCR). The HDU admits patients of all specialties and can be utilised to fast-track selected patients following cardiac surgery.
For an appointment or for any further information on heart surgery, please call London Bridge Hospital on 0845 602 7906 or send an email.
A dedicated cardiothoracic unit
The cardiothoracic unit is staffed by specialist cardiothoracic nurses, a dietician, physiotherapists, pharmacists and cardiac technicians supported by the Critical Care Resident Medical Officer who provides 24 hour cover. The consultants are from leading centres in London including Guy's and St Thomas' and Kings College Hospitals.
The cardiothoracic unit has a strong commitment to staff training and education and recognise the importance of maintaining standards of excellence expected from a specialist profession in a specialist working environment. They have links with City and South Bank Universities who support the ongoing training.
The unit provides a wide range of cardiac investigations, cardiology procedures, cardiac surgery and thoracic surgery.
Cardiac surgery includes:
Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG)
Open heart surgery. This essentially creates a new route for blood flow supplying the heart. This involves harvesting a piece of vein from either leg, or inner chest wall artery. The piece of harvested vein/artery is used to create the bypass round narrowed or diseased artery/arteries thus supplying good oxygenated blood to the heart previously hindered or blocked by the damaged arteries.
All heart valve reconstruction
A surgical procedure to correct various disorders of the heart valves involves open heart surgery where the valves are either repaired with a supporting ring or replaced with either a tissue or mechanical valve depending on the patient's suitability or preference.
