We continue to monitor COVID-19, flu and other respiratory viruses in our communities. Read the most current information about prevention, testing and where to go if you're sick.

COVID-19 Information

Cardiac Surgery Center: World Class Care, Close to Home.

Missouri Baptist Medical Center continually ranks among the top hospitals for cardiac surgery in the nation. Known for exceptional heart surgery outcomes, we are one of the few programs in the U.S. to consistently receive the Society for Thoracic Surgeons' highest 3-star rating.

At Missouri Baptist you receive care from a multidisciplinary team of cardiologists, cardiac surgeons and cardiac nurses. The specialization of our team allows us to have an in-depth knowledge of cardiac diseases and treatments, paired with a dedication that allows us to treat the whole patient.

Our team of surgeons, anesthesiologists and nurses have performed more than 22,000 heart surgeries since the program was established in 1984 making Missouri Baptist Medical Center the highest volume non-academic cardiac surgery center in Metro St. Louis.

Volume matters because research has shown that patients who have their cardiac surgery at surgical centers that perform a high volume of cardiac surgery have better outcomes than those patients who go to a low volume center. Our cardiac surgery program outcomes exceed several national quality benchmarks according to the Society of Thoracic Surgery (STS) data registry, the largest cardiac surgery registry in the world.

To make an appointment to speak with a cardiac surgeon call 314-996-5287.

Cardiac Surgery at Missouri Baptist:

For those conditions requiring surgery, our Cardiac Surgery Center offers decades of experience in providing a full range of traditional and minimally invasive procedures. Our highly specialized team of surgeons and cardiologists review patient cases in a collaborative environment to develop individualized treatment plans for each patient.

  • Aneurysm Repair – A lifesaving surgical procedure that is used to replace a weakened and “bulging” section (aneurysm) in the aorta.
  • Aortic Valve Repair or Replacement – Two surgical procedures performed to reestablish efficient one-way flow of blood through this critical heart valve. The most appropriate surgical approach is tailored to each patient’s condition.
  • Atrial Fibrillation Surgery – Several surgical options are available to treat atrial fibrillation and thereby restore patients to a regular heart rhythm and reduce or eliminate the symptoms associated with atrial fibrillation, a leading cause of heart failure and stroke.
  • Congenital Heart Surgery in Adults – Prior repairs of congenital cardiac defects may require additional procedures throughout adulthood. These procedures correct heart defects present from birth that can disrupt the normal flow of blood through the heart. The defects can involve the walls of the heart, the valves of the heart and the arteries and veins near the heart.
  • Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) – During this most common open-heart surgery, a blood vessel from the leg, arm or chest wall is used to bypass a diseased coronary artery. This creates a new route for blood to flow, so that the heart muscle will get the oxygen-rich blood it needs to function properly.
  • Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery – Less invasive alternative to traditional open-heart surgery, these procedures use smaller incisions in the chest wall to reach the heart and often allow for a shorter hospital stay and recovery. This approach is available for aortic and mitral valve repair and replacement, as well as some aneurysm repairs.
  • Mitral Valve Repair or Replacement – These surgical treatments restore normal function of the valve by correcting leaks and/or restoring normal opening of the valve. When appropriate, valve repair is often preferred over replacement, as it can reduce the need for additional valve surgeries in the future and provide protection against valve infections. Replacement surgery is available for patients that are not candidates for valve repair.
  • The Ross Procedure – A cardiac surgery operation where a diseased aortic valve is replaced with the person's own pulmonary valve. A pulmonary homograft is then used to replace the patient's own pulmonary valve.
  • Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) – First approved for inoperable patients in 2011 and now available for most patients with aortic stenosis, this procedure allows a team of cardiologists and cardiac surgeons to insert a new valve inside the diseased valve without open heart surgery. The new valve is put in place using a catheter that is most commonly inserted through a groin artery. Alternatively, the catheter may sometimes be inserted through the carotid or arm artery and rarely through a small incision in the chest.
  • Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair – Often referred as a MitraClip™, this minimally invasive procedure is a treatment option for some patients with a leaky mitral valve and is done with a catheter-based approach in the groin.
  • Vascular Surgeries – Surgeries are performed through open heart surgery or stents to treat a wide range of severe and chronic conditions to restore blood flow to the upper extremities or the brain.

To make an appointment to speak with a cardiac surgeon call 314-996-5287.

Related Heart Content

Find a Doctor or Make an Appointment

Our new search tool will help you choose a doctor or health care provider that is best for you or your family.

Search Now

Mitral Valve Replacement

When Tina needed a new mitral valve, she benefited from BJC HealthCare’s collaborative approach to care that connected her with a multidisciplinary team of heart specialists. Her journey included seamless coordination between medical teams at two BJC HealthCare facilities: Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital and Missouri Baptist Medical Center (MoBap).

Learn More keyboard_arrow_right

Washington University Heart Failure Center at Missouri Baptist

At the Washington University Heart Failure Center at Missouri Baptist, we use a team approach to develop an individualized plan of care for you to manage your disease.

Learn More keyboard_arrow_right

Cardiac Testing at Missouri Baptist Medical Center

Diagnosing a heart condition often requires a combination of cardiovascular diagnostic and screening tests. These advanced tests can often determine the existence, type and severity of heart disease.

At Missouri Baptist Medical Center, our Cardiac Diagnostics Center is equipped with advanced technology and expertly trained staff to conducts these tests. Your test results will be evaluated by a board-certified cardiologist on staff at MoBap and discussed with your physician to tailor a treatment plan for your specific condition.

Learn More keyboard_arrow_right

MoBap Celebrates 1,000 TAVR Case Milestone

On December 6, 2022, Missouri Baptist Medical Center performed its 1,000th transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

“We are proud to reach this milestone,” says Michael Mauney, MD, cardiothoracic surgeon on staff at Missouri Baptist. “MoBap was among the first medical centers in the nation to adopt this procedure following FDA approval in Fall 2011.”

TAVR is a minimally invasive procedure for replacing a stenotic (tight) aortic valve in which the aortic valve narrows, reducing blood flow from the heart to the aorta. This procedure can also replace failed artificial aortic and mitral valves. TAVR is a treatment option to be considered for those with severe aortic stenosis, including many with worn-out surgical valves.

Learn More keyboard_arrow_right

Dr. Stewart Gets a “Second Chance at Life” After Heart Attack

Todd Stewart, MD, is no stranger to critically ill patients and life-saving procedures. As a spinal neurosurgeon and chief of neurosurgery at Missouri Baptist Medical Center, it’s all in a day’s work. But it came as a shock when he suffered a life-threatening heart attack last year.

Learn More keyboard_arrow_right

Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery Helps Tom Return to the Basketball Court

Tom Caspari thought he was too healthy to have a heart attack.

Learn More keyboard_arrow_right
Stock photo of young family in kitchen preparing healthy meal

Online Heart Health Assessment

Are you at risk for a heart attack? Learn about your risk factors with our online heart health assessment tool and find help for improving your results.

Learn More keyboard_arrow_right

Heart Matters: Father-Son Heart Surgery Strengthens Bond

When the need for surgery arose, this close-knit family made the decision to travel to St. Louis for a second opinion and care at Missouri Baptist Medical Center (MoBap). However, Matt and Bill never expected to be in the hospital at the same time, much less have heart surgery on the same day.

Learn More keyboard_arrow_right

Living (Well) With Congestive Heart Failure

Follow these tips to live a healthier life with congestive heart failure.

Learn More keyboard_arrow_right

Palliative Care: Helping Patients Live Their Best Lives

Lynn’s husband Steve was diabetic and diagnosed with end stage renal disease 11 years ago. Without warning, Steve’s condition turned critical three years ago. Desperate for guidance and strength, Lynn was connected to April and the Palliative Care team at Missouri Baptist Medical Center.

Learn More keyboard_arrow_right

Heart LifeLine Alliance

As a leader in heart care, Missouri Baptist Medical Center’s cardiac specialists partner with rural hospitals and medical helicopter and ambulance services to offer the region’s leading heart attack network, saving heart muscle and lives.

Learn More keyboard_arrow_right
Dr. Higano continues to follow up care with Ira.

An Alliance to Save Lives by Saving Time

On Dec. 5, 2017, 57-year-old Ira Schalk began to feel nauseous on his job at a lead mining operation near Viburnum, Mo. For days he had felt tired, but thought it might be the flu. It wasn’t.

Learn More keyboard_arrow_right

Saving Heart Muscle, Saving Lives

In 2008, cardiologists at Missouri Baptist Medical Center developed the Heart LifeLine Alliance in partnership with rural hospitals, medical helicopter and ambulance services.

Learn More keyboard_arrow_right

An Unexpected Journey of the Heart

When it came time for LaTisha (Tish) Smith of Belleville, Ill., to tell her family that she was having surgery, the hardest conversation was with her 9-year-old son, Lee.

Learn More keyboard_arrow_right

Losing More Than Sleep

Everybody suffers occasionally from not getting enough sleep. But a lack of sleep can do more than just make you feel tired the next day. Chronic sleep problems can be a contributing factor to more serious health problems.

Learn More keyboard_arrow_right

Getting Clara to the Beach

Clara Freeman anxiously anticipated attending her oldest granddaughter's beach wedding.

Learn More keyboard_arrow_right

Understanding Arrhythmia

We want to help you understand everything there is to know about arrhythmia, why they occur, how they are diagnosed and treated, and what options may be right for you.

Learn More keyboard_arrow_right

Treating Coronary Artery Chronic Total Occlusion

The treatment options at the Missouri Baptist Heart Center continue to advance, and our patients have access to the latest technologies and treatment options. 

Learn More keyboard_arrow_right

Recipes for Your Health

Tasted, tested and analyzed by dietitians at Missouri Baptist Medical Center

Learn More keyboard_arrow_right

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

The transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure allows a team of cardiologists and cardiac surgeons to insert a new valve inside a diseased valve without open heart surgery. The new valve is put in place through a catheter that is inserted through the groin or between the ribs. 

Learn More keyboard_arrow_right

Synchronizing Heart Care Offers Patient a New Lease on Life

Nathaniel (Nate) Rentz, 63, is alive today thanks to the expertise and coordinated care of medical teams at Progress West Hospital and the advanced cardiac care team at Missouri Baptist Medical Center.

Learn More keyboard_arrow_right

Heart Valve Surgery Gives New Lease on Life

Looking forward to resuming their active lifestyle in 2022, Connie and Arlin have two trips planned early in the year. Connie said that her heart surgery has given her a new lease on life. "Every time I'm at Missouri Baptist, I feel cared for, listened to and taken seriously. I always tell people that if you have heart problems, go to MoBap."

Learn More keyboard_arrow_right

New Technology for Treating Cardiac Arrhythmias

The new technology at MoBap — robotic magnetic navigation (RMN) — introduces the benefits of robotic precision and safety to cardiac ablation, a common, minimally invasive procedure used to treat arrhythmias

Learn More keyboard_arrow_right
Melissa and Chris post on the sofa with family photos all around.

Early Intervention Makes the Difference

Melissa Ham’s voice is still a little shaky when she recalls being told that her husband, Chris, had about a 1-in-3 chance of surviving the heart attack that occurred at their home on July 13, 2016.

Learn More keyboard_arrow_right