Most Recent News Articles
Smoking Cessation Intervention by Thoracic Surgeons Achieves Above Avg Pre & Postop Quit Rates
University of Virginia Health System thoracic surgeons spend roughly 10 minutes during pre- and postsurgery office visits to encourage patients to quit smoking.
Thoracic Surgery Faculty Receive Grant Awards from the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
In one of the most competitive periods for obtaining funding in the history of the NIH, the faculty members of the Division of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery have successfully obtained numerous awards.
Extraordinary Results for Heart Failure Surgery
Heart failure is one of the most common and deadly diseases in the United States. Under the leadership of Dr. John A. Kern, MD 18 patients with end-stage heart failure have received the HeartMate II Ventricular Assist Device in the last 6 months. The results have been superb with an over 90% hospital survival rate.
New Congenital Heart Surgeon Joins Faculty
Dr. James (Jay) J. Gangemi, MD has joined the faculty as a congenital heart surgeon effective July 1, 2009.
In Rhythm: Surgery for Atrial Fibrillation a Success
Millions of Americans suffer from atrial fibrillation, an irregular heart beat that can cause strokes and heart failure. Under the leadership of Dr. Gorav Ailawadi, patients are undergoing a minimally-invasive surgical approach to ablating or correcting the abnormal rhythm.
Decreasing Morbidity and Mortality for Lung and Esophageal Cancer Surgery
According to the Society of Thoracic Surgeons national database the University of Virginia has some of the nations’ best results for patients needing surgery for lung and esophageal cancer surgery.
UVA Introduces Percutaneous Valve Technology
New advances are allowing heart surgeons and cardiologists to replace the aortic valve without putting the patient through open heart surgery.
Mitral Valve Surgery: UVA Surgeons Repair Instead of Replace Valve
UVA Surgeons Repair Instead of Replace Valve. Cardiac surgeons at the UVA have one of the largest experiences in repairing the mitral valve in the United States.
Resident Review Committee (RRC) Approves Expansion of Thoracic Surgery Residency Program
The Thoracic Surgery RRC approved a request to expand the General Thoracic Surgery Track position from every other year to every year.
First Minimally-Invasive Surgery for Esophageal Cancer Performed at UVA
In December 2008, Dr. David R. Jones and his team performed the first minimally-invasive resection of an esophageal cancer in a 74 year old patient.
