Surgical ventricular restoration for congestive heart failure 
When a heart attack occurs in the left ventricle (the chamber

of the heart that pumps blood to the body), a scar may form,

making the rest of the heart work harder to pump blood throughout the body. Over time, the left ventricle becomes larger than normal and pumps less effectively. This leads to heart failure and severe limitation of a patient’s activity level. In the ventricular restoration or Dor procedure, the surgeon excludes the scarred, dead area of heart tissue from the circulation and reshapes the ventricle to a more normal shape – improving heart function. This is often done in conjunction with coronary bypass surgery and/or valve repair. Both Dr. Michael C. Maxwell and Dr. Iva A. Smolens will discuss this procedure in great length in order to ensure patient and family education.

 

Surgical treatment of thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms and dissection
The aorta is the largest blood vessel in the body, most of which is located in the chest. Weakening of the wall can cause an aneurysm (dilatation) which is prone to rupture, or lead to a separation of the wall known as an aortic dissection. Either can be a life-threatening emergency. Once an aneurysm or dissection is identified by a chest X-ray, echocardiogram, computed tomography angiography (CAT SCAN), Dr. Michael C. Maxwell will begin to develop a repair strategy. These complex operations help ensure the safe distribution of blood to the rest of the body. The procedure repairs weakened or ruptured arteries or damaged section of aorta with a graft of special surgical woven material.

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Esophageal and pulmonary resection procedure (Esophagogastrectomy)
Both the esophagus and lungs are vital organs that can be affected by either benign or malignant diseases (cancer). In some cases, surgical removal of lung tissue or the esophagus is necessary for treatment. Dr. Michael C. Maxwell will use innovative surgical techniques to tailor the operation according to the patient’s needs. Minimally invasive surgery has become standard therapy in certain cases to remove cancerous tissue from the lungs.

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Carotid Artery Disease (CAD)
Carotid Artery Disease is a result of build up of fatty substances and cholesterol deposits, otherwise known as plaque. Overtime the plaque build up can completely block the carotid artery. When this occlusion occurs the chance of a patient having a stroke greatly increases, this is the third leading cause of death in the U.S. Dr. Michael C. Maxwell ensures the necessary steps are made when he treats patients with CAD. Whether its a CAT SCAN, Ultrasound, or cardiac clearance that is required, our team at Red Mountain CTS makes sure the proper steps are in place before a patient is scheduled for a Carotid Endarterectomy procedure (CEA). In addition to post-operative follow-up after the procedure, we schedule patient yearly follow-up for this condition in order to assure that the procedure has been a success.
 

Evaluation and surgical treatment of mediastinal tumors
Mediastinal tumors are abnormal tissue growths in the part of the chest cavity between the two lungs. These tumors can be benign or malignant (cancer) and occur across all age groups. Surgical treatment may include thoracotomy, a procedure performed through an incision in the chest, and minimally invasive approaches, including thoracoscopy and mediastinoscopy. The physicians at Red Mountain CTS will find the best surgical option for the patient(s) with these types of diagnosis.

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Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)

Also referred to as transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), is a procedure that replaces your diseased aortic valve with a man-made valve. Your aortic valve controls blood flow from your heart to your body. Your heart may have to work too hard to pump blood through the small valve opening to the rest of your body. This may lead to increasing heart failure. The FDA approved TAVR for use in certain conditions. Before this approval, the procedure was available only through clinical trials. During the procedure, your doctor inserts a catheter through a blood vessel in your leg to deliver and implant the artificial valve into your heart. Significant research is exploring how to advance the use of this technology.