Carolina Cardiac Surgery Associates

About our practice

Serving Columbia and the greater Midlands region of South Carolina, Carolina Cardiac Surgery Associates was established in 1984 and performs a variety of thoracic and cardiovascular surgical procedures. We have introduced some of the most advanced surgical techniques to the community and are capable of handling the most complex cases. Our caring, board-certified thoracic and cardiovascular surgeons have the training and experience necessary to diagnose and surgically treat patients with heart disease, as well as diseases of the lungs, trachea, diaphragm, mediastinum, aorta and peripheral blood vessels.

We specialize in the following areas:

Aortic surgery
Complex cardiac surgery
Minimally invasive cardiac surgery
Thoracic surgery
Vascular surgery
Thoracoscopic surgery

Our office is physically connected to Palmetto Health Heart Hospital, the first freestanding heart hospital in South Carolina. This door-to-door access to diagnostic technology, surgical suites, cardiac intensive care unit and patient rooms enables us to respond immediately to urgent calls and provides 24-hour access to thoracic and cardiovascular patients. Our convenient location also accommodates consults with referring physicians.

Our services

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)
Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)
Off-pump (beating heart) coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB)
Minimally invasive saphenous (leg) vein harvest
Valve replacement and repair, including minimally invasive valve surgery
Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) implantation
Atrial fibrillation corrective procedures
Adult congenital cardiac surgery
Transmyocardial laser revascularization (TMR)
Vascular surgery

Multidisciplinary heart valve disease specific center management
Aortic aneurysm surgery, including stent grafting of the thoracic and abdominal aorta
Carotid artery surgery
Lung cancer surgery, including minimally invasive thorascopic lobectomy
Mediastinal surgery
Aortic and extremity peripheral vascular occlusive disease surgery
Peripheral Vascular (PV) Lab
Subclavian artery surgery
Thoracoscopic sympathectomy for hyperhidrosis

The Aortic Center

The first in the Midlands region, the Aortic Center at Carolina Cardiac Surgery Associates is an innovative blend of surgical expertise, technology and quality patient care. We employ minimally invasive techniques in appropriate candidates, and educate our patients on the lifelong management of aortic disease. Learn more here.

Minimally invasive surgery

Carolina Cardiac Surgery Associates offers minimally invasive cardiovascular and thoracic surgery options to qualified patients, a gentler alternative to an open chest approach. Performed through smaller incisions using specialized surgical instruments, this approach greatly benefits the patient in terms of less blood loss and decreased pain and discomfort. Recovery time is also quicker, so patients usually can look forward to less time in the hospital. Our practice was the first in the state to perform minimally invasive mitral valve surgery and the first in central South Carolina to perform a thoracic aneurysm repair using an endograft.

Mobile Critical Care Unit

Palmetto Health's Mobile Critical Care Unit (Mobile CCU) is an intensive care unit on wheels that transports cardiac and critical care patients to Palmetto Health hospitals from outlying areas. The Mobile CCU also will transport patients for outpatient services or direct hospital admission from other hospitals, physician's offices or urgent care facilities, or long term care facilities.

About Palmetto Health-USC Medical Group

We are proud to be part of Palmetto Health-USC Medical Group, which includes caring, compassionate health care professionals who are highly trained to meet your medical needs in Columbia, Lexington and across the greater Midlands region of South Carolina.

Providing excellent medical care in comfortable office environments, our network team of physicians, advanced care providers, nurses and staff is prepared to answer any questions you have. We provide comprehensive medical care for short-term needs like annual physicals as well as ongoing management of chronic diseases. Prevention is a big part of your overall care plan. Should additional, focused medical treatment ever be needed, our doctors will refer you to a specialist and stay involved in your care. Only at Palmetto Health-USC Medical Group will you find the extensive level of expertise available from a wide variety of specialists.