The University Cardiac Surgical Service is oriented toward individualized, quality patient care. The patient, family and physicians know which surgeon has primary responsibility for the patient. Surgeons and/or physician assistants and/or nurse coordinators are readily available to discuss problems and procedures. A great emphasis is placed on patient education. Patient care is returned to the referring physician early after the patient is discharged from the hospital.

All aspects of adult cardiac surgery are performed, such as coronary bypass surgery with arterial conduits and valve replacement (including the Ross Procedure and state-of-the-art valves and use of stentless valves) and repair, and the insertion of pacemakers and automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillators. Approximately 1,000 procedures are performed annually. The University Cardiac Surgical Service also includes a cardiac transplantation and assist device program.

10 Plum Street, 7th Floor
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Phone: 732-253-3699 Option #1
Fax: 732-253-3467

The Robert Wood Johnson Advanced Heart Failure and Heart Transplant Program is a successful, growing endeavor. A multidisciplinary team of experienced transplant physicians, surgeons, nurse coordinators and nurse practitioners contribute to the program’s success. In conjunction with the medical school, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital aims to be the premier cardiac transplant center for New Jersey, with an expectation of 30 to 40 transplants per year. The heart transplant program is closely aligned with the expanded Robert Wood Johnson Heart Failure clinic run by Jesus Almendral, MD.

To increase the available options for patients with end-stage heart failure, the hospital has the Joint Commission Certified Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) program for patients as an alternative to transplant or as a bridge to transplant. With newer devices continuing to become available, the use of these devices as an alternative to transplant is now an available choice for the patient.

The University Cardiac Surgical Service is oriented toward quality individual patient care. The patient's family and physicians know which surgeon has primary responsibility for the patient. Surgeons and/or nurse coordinators are readily available to discuss problems and procedures. A great emphasis is placed on patient education. Patient care is returned to the referring physician early after the patient is discharged from the hospital.

All aspects of adult cardiac surgery are performed, including coronary bypass surgery, valve replacement and repair, thoracic aortic aneurysm surgery, pacemaker surgery and the insertion of automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillators.

Special Treatments or Services

• Complete registry of all patient data since the beginning of the program
• Emphasis on all arterial coronary bypass surgery

For Appointments: 732-235-7802

The division has an active general thoracic surgical program with a strong emphasis on surgery of the esophagus, mediastinum and lungs.

The University Cardiac Surgical Service performs minimally invasive cardiac surgery, which means a shorter hospital stay and faster recovery. It is applicable to coronary artery bypass and valvular surgery.

The program provides comprehensive surgical treatment of end-stage lung disease.

Special Treatments or Services

• Pulmonary Thromboendarterectomy
• Lung Volume Reduction Surgery

The division has special expertise in treating diseases of the thoracic aorta, including aneurysms, acute and chronic aortic dissections, and traumatic aortic transections.

The advent of videoscopic thoracic surgery (VATS) some five years ago has provided a new method for carrying out most thoracic surgical procedures. VATS enables patients to be home in two to three days rather than seven to 10 days following the usual thoracotomy and to return to productive work much earlier. Currently, approximately 80 percent of the resections for cancer (including lobectomies) are performed videoscopically.