Cardiac Surgery - Los Angeles, CA

Why choose UCLA Health for heart surgery?

When it comes to heart surgery, UCLA Health sets the standard for excellence. Our experienced cardiac surgeons are leaders in their fields and work together with specialists across UCLA Health to ensure you receive customized, multidisciplinary care. We use the latest techniques and technologies to treat all types of heart conditions, always prioritizing your safety, comfort, and recovery.

Highlights of our services

Pioneering Heart Surgery Innovations: UCLA Health has been at the forefront of cardiovascular advancements for over 65 years. In 1955, our doctors developed the first blood oxygenator and heart-lung machine—revolutionizing modern heart surgery. Today, we continue to pioneer advanced techniques for safer, more effective treatments.

Leaders in Heart Transplants: Since performing Southern California’s first heart transplant in 1982, UCLA Health has led the way in transplant medicine. Our Heart Transplant and Mechanical Circulatory Support Programs expand donor eligibility, giving more patients life-saving options.

National recognition in mitral valve repair: Ranked among the nation’s top 20 hospitals for mitral valve repair, we are one of only two hospitals in the Western U.S. to receive the Mitral Valve Repair Reference Center Award for excellence in valve care.

Minimally invasive treatments: Our surgeons specialize in minimally invasive and robotic-assisted heart surgery, which offers significant benefits, including faster recovery times, less post-surgical pain an shorter hospital stays. Each patient undergoes a thorough evaluation to determine whether a minimally invasive approach is the best option for their condition

Our areas of care

Our surgeons use advanced surgical techniques to treat a range of heart conditions. Our areas of expertise include:

Adult congenital heart disease surgery
Aortic disease surgery
Cardiac arrhythmia correction surgery
Cardiac valve surgery
Coronary revascularization (bypass surgery)
ECMO (life support)
Heart failure surgery, including heart transplants
Pediatric cardiothoracic surgery
Robotic heart surgery

Heart conditions we treat

Many heart conditions may require surgery. Some of the most common include:

Angina: Chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart

Aortic Aneurysm: A bulge in the artery that carries blood from the heart to the body

Arrhythmia: Irregular heartbeat (too fast, too slow, or uneven)

Cardiomyopathy: Thickening of the lower left heart chamber, making it harder for the heart to pump blood

Congenital Heart Disease: A heart abnormality present at birth

Coronary Artery Disease: Plaque buildup in the arteries that supply blood to the heart

Heart Failure: A progressive weakening of the heart, preventing it from pumping blood effectively

Structural Heart and Valve Disease: Issues with the heart’s structure or one of its four valves

Heart surgeries we offer

We offer a comprehensive range of heart surgeries, from routine procedures to the most complex cases. Our expertise includes:

Aortic Aneurysm Repair: Reinforces a weakened section of the aorta to prevent rupture

Arrhythmia Ablation (Catheter Ablation): Uses heat or cold energy to stop irregular electrical signals and restore normal rhythm

Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG): Reroutes blood around blockages to improve flow and reduce heart attack risk

Maze Procedure: Creates tiny scars in the upper chambers (atria) to treat atrial fibrillation

Heart Transplant: Replaces a failing heart with a healthier donor heart

Valve Repair or Replacement: Restores normal valve function or replaces a damaged valve with a donor or mechanical option

Meet the team

Our cardiac surgeons are recognized experts in surgery, research, and education. We use leading-edge techniques, and many of our surgical outcome rates exceed national benchmarks. When you choose UCLA Health for heart surgery, you can feel confident knowing you’re in the hands of a dedicated, world-class team committed to helping you achieve the best possible results.