Department of Cardiac Surgery

The Department of Cardiac Surgery at the Sheba Medical Center was founded in 1952, making it the first of its kind in Israel. Since its establishment, the department has become a leading force in providing high-quality surgical treatment and performing unique types of operations.

The department performs bypass surgeries, thoracic aorta surgeries, and valvular surgeries using both standard and minimally invasive approaches. In valvular surgeries with the minimally invasive approach, a small incision is made on the sides of the chest to repair or replace heart valves, eliminating the need for a long incision down the middle of the chest. This technique results in improved cosmetic outcomes and simpler recovery compared to conventional operations.
 
In recent years, the cardiac surgery department has emerged as a renowned national referral centre for patients afflicted with thoracic aortic aneurysms. This intricate and challenging condition necessitates specialized expertise, and the department has amassed extensive experience in providing optimal care to such patients. The surgical interventions offered encompass not only major procedures involving replacement of the aneurysm with a prosthetic graft, but also the insertion of specialized support stents via a catheter-based approach, a collaborative treatment conducted in conjunction with the invasive cardiology unit (catheterisation).
 
As an integral part of the heart surgery department, the heart transplant unit has been operational since 1992, establishing itself as the most active unit of its kind in Israel. With a remarkable track record of approximately 200 successful heart transplant surgeries, our unit's short-term and long-term outcomes are on par with the world's leading transplant centers. Notably, we provide a distinctive service in Israel by implanting electrical assistive devices into the left heart ("artificial heart") as a bridge to transplantation. This life-saving intervention is offered to patients whose condition rapidly deteriorates, placing their lives in immediate jeopardy. With the device securely implanted, patients can comfortably return home, resume their daily activities, and patiently await a suitable heart donation, which may take weeks or even months to procure.
 
The department boasts a team of seven highly skilled senior heart surgeons, all trained in renowned global heart surgery centers. Supporting them is a dedicated team of over 30 experienced nurses, proficient in providing exceptional care to heart surgery patients. The department's commitment to academic and research pursuits is evident, with numerous clinical and laboratory studies being conducted. Notably, research from the department has been published in prestigious medical journals worldwide.

Our unwavering focus is on delivering superior medical and nursing care, while upholding the dignity and rights of our patients. We are dedicated to providing comprehensive support and ensuring a comfortable hospitalization experience throughout their stay in our ward.