Cardiologists at the Milstein Family Heart Center are among the top in the country. They are leading the way in advancing cardiovascular imaging, interventional cardiology procedures, electrophysiology, molecular cardiology, and ways to prevent and treat atherosclerosis.

Non-Invasive Cardiovascular Imaging

Doctors at the Center use advanced imaging such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomographic (CT) angiography, and 3D echocardiography to accurately assess cardiac valve disease, pinpoint diseased vessels and areas of damage after a heart attack, and guide percutaneous valve procedures. An active cardiac positron emission tomography (PET) program offers advanced nuclear imaging technology to measure blood flow and metabolic activities of the heart.

Electrophysiology

Doctors with the Electrophysiology Service treat arrhythmias with catheter ablation. This approach uses heat introduced to the heart by way of a catheter to carefully burn away small patches of tissue that are causing the irregularity. The service also manages implantable devices, such as biventricular pacers and internal cardiac defibrillators, which have substantially reduced the risk of sudden cardiac death for many patients with arrhythmias, heart failure, and other cardiac conditions.

Center for Interventional Vascular Therapy (CIVT)

CIVT's physicians are in the forefront of advancing the treatment of coronary disease. CIVT is one of the world's leading tertiary referral centers for patients with complex cardiovascular and endovascular disease. With more than 20 interventional cardiologists and other medical experts in minimally invasive cardiac care, CIVT physicians treat the most challenging cases involving complex multivessel disease, technically challenging anatomy, or patients with multiple comorbidities.

CIVT's cardiologists play a significant role in clinical interventional trials in revascularization, cardiac stents, and percutaneous valves. They also are developing new and improved catheter delivery systems to navigate more complex areas of the coronary system.

Cardiovascular surgeons at the Milstein Family Heart Center are among the most experienced in the world, performing more than 1,600 open-heart procedures per year. In addition to performing on and off-pump coronary bypass surgery (CABG), our cardiothoracic surgeons are recognized for their skills in complex and challenging valve repairs. They also provide expertise in the management of acute and chronic aortic problems, including aneurysms, Type A and Type B dissection, and aortic root reconstruction.

Our pediatric cardiac surgeons are recognized leaders in treating congenital heart defects, implanting mechanical circulatory support devices, performing pediatric heart transplants, and performing the Ross procedure for aortic valve failure.

Surgical Atrial Fibrillation Program

Our surgeons incorporate a variety of surgical solutions to atrial fibrillation, including the Maze procedure, surgical ablation, and totally endoscopic beating heart atrial fibrillation ablation.

Cardiac Transplantation Program

With more than 25 years of history at NewYork Presbyterian/Columbia, the Cardiac Transplantation Program brings together renowned physicians and surgeons in heart failure and transplant. The program has a transplant volume that is among the highest in the country, with our surgeons performing between 70 and 100 heart transplants per year.

Mechanical Circulatory Support Program

Our physicians have played a major role in the research and development of cardiac assist devices. The Mechanical Circulatory Support Program, founded in 1990 to advance the use of cardiac assist devices as a bridge to transplantation, now also offers assist devices as a destination therapy for patients with end-stage heart failure who are not eligible for a transplant. Our surgeons were active in the development of the HeartMate II (Thoratec), a ventricular assist device designed to provide as much as a decade of circulatory support.

Minimally Invasive and Robotic Cardiac Surgery Program

With the development of this innovative program, patients can be surgically treated through smaller incisions, resulting in faster recovery with less discomfort. Our surgeons are among the most experienced in the country in minimally invasive and robotic cardiac surgeries.

Valve Program

Doctors in our Valve Program are leaders in developing therapies and treatments for patients with valvular heart disease. The program spearheaded clinical trials in aortic and mitral valve therapies, including the PARTNER (Placement of AoRTic traNscathetER valves) Trial – the world's first randomized clinical trial of a transcatheter aortic heart valve. Martin B. Leon, M.D., Director of CIVT, and Craig R. Smith, M.D., serve as the national principal investigators of the PARTNER trial. The landmark study showed that a balloon-expandable transcatheter valve replacement in patients at high risk for surgery is as safe and effective as open surgery in terms of one-year survival.

Thoracic Aneurysm Repair Program

Our cardiac surgeons have extensive experience surgically repairing of thoracic aneurysms. Our surgeons also perform endovascular repair of thoracic aneurysms for individuals who might not be candidates for traditional open surgery. With the expertise of our specialists and with early diagnosis, thoracic aortic aneurysms can be successfully repaired with good outcomes, keeping surgical mortality rates well below national standards. A team approach involving surgeons, anesthesiologists, intensive care physicians, and nurses is considered key to achieving optimal outcomes.