For decades, people from all over the world have trusted their hearts to the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai.
A global leader in heart transplant, women’s heart disease, targeted therapies and a suite of minimally invasive procedures, the Smidt Heart Institute has received worldwide acclaim for consistently achieving the best outcomes for people with heart disease.
Our specialized care team treats the full spectrum of cardiovascular disease, including vascular abnormalities, congenital heart disease, heart failure, coronary artery disease, valve dysfunction and rhythm disorders. Working seamlessly with clinicians, our investigators break new ground with lifesaving research efforts that effect change in California and around the globe.
Whether patients travel thousands of miles for care or live blocks away from Cedars-Sinai, the Smidt Heart Institute’s focus on technology and innovation provides transformational care to all patients.
Explore the Report
SMIDT HEART INSTITUTE
Executive Director:
Eduardo Marbán, MD, PhD
Mark Siegel Family Foundation Distinguished Chair
Professor of Cardiology and Biomedical Sciences
DEPARTMENT OF CARDIOLOGY
Chair: Christine M. Albert, MD, MPH
Lee and Harold Kapelovitz Distinguished Chair in Cardiology
Professor of Cardiology
DEPARTMENT OF CARDIAC SURGERY
Chair: Joanna Chikwe, MD
Irina and George Schaeffer Distinguished Chair
in Cardiac Surgery in honor of Alfredo Trento, MD
Professor of Cardiac Surgery
SMIDT HEART INSTITUTE VASCULAR PROGRAM
Associate Director of Vascular Therapeutics: Ali Azizzadeh, MD
Director, Division of Vascular Surgery
Professor of Surgery
Points of Pride
Rankings
#1
IN CALIFORNIA (highest U.S. News ranking in the region)
#2
IN THE NATION
Outcomes
30-Day Risk-Adjusted Mortality
July-Dec. 2019 and July 2020-June 2022
HEART ATTACK
6.9% CEDARS-SINAI
11.8% NATIONAL
HEART FAILURE
9.2% CEDARS-SINAI
12.6% NATIONAL
Highlights
CARDIAC SURGERY
The highest quality rating from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons
No. 1 Mitral Valve Repair Center in the western U.S.
>1,500 robotic mitral valve repairs, with near 100% success rate
>20 years of Ross procedures, with zero early mortality
INTERVENTIONAL CARDIOLOGY
World-renowned experts in all structural heart procedures
>6,000 TAVRs performed to date
1,885 MitraClips performed to date
ADVANCED HEART DISEASE: HEART FAILURE
The most advanced care for complex heart failure, with some of the nation’s best outcomes
HEART TRANSPLANT AND MECHANICAL CIRCULATORY SUPPORT
One of the largest heart transplant programs in the U.S.
>1,600 transplants to date
132 durable and temporary mechanical circulatory support devices placed in FY23
LUNG TRANSPLANT
Performed the first robotically assisted double-lung transplant
State-of-the-art care, using minimally invasive techniques for 57% of lung transplants in FY23
ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY
PIONEER diagnostic tools and SPECIALIZE in the identification and treatment of heart disease in women
National leaders in cardiac arrest prevention and research
Leading the integration of artificial intelligence into advanced cardiac care and imaging
CONGENITAL HEART
Seamless, comprehensive congenital cardiac care, from conception to advanced age
First-in-human novel percutaneous pulmonary valve replacement
Zero 30-day Surgical mortality for 190 consecutive cases
AORTIC DISEASES
Experts in complex treatment, including open and endovascular aortic repair
Recognized by the Marfan Foundation for expertise in comprehensive genetic aortic and vascular care
VASCULAR DISORDERS
Major destination for minimally invasive and complex open aortic surgery
Advanced, personalized care using approved and investigational devices
The Susanne and Ervin Bard Pavilion at the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai in the heart of Los Angeles
Patient journeys—the case, the care, the conclusion
After consulting with a regional specialist, Betty Ward-Cooper (74) was disappointed to hear she should expect open-heart surgery for her symptomatic mitral valve regurgitation. She began researching the latest techniques in mitral valve repair and consulted the Smidt Heart Institute’s surgeons for their expertise in minimally invasive solutions.
Matt Philbrook (61) presented with restrictive cardiomyopathy and chest inflammation due to radiation treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma in the 1980s. A heart valve replacement done locally in 2019 began to fail, and Matt’s Idaho cardiologist told him he would require a heart transplant from a center with advanced capabilities.
Tim Fitzgerald (37) was referred to the Smidt Heart Institute after an attempt to address congenital aortic valve stenosis at another hospital failed due to a hostile chest cavity.
Claudia Huerta (44) experienced high resting heart rates, fatigue and dizziness, which prompted her to schedule a visit with her primary care physician. Follow-up monitoring with Cedars-Sinai resulted in a diagnosis of hereditary paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AFib)/flutter (13% burden).
Contents
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Referral Resources
If you have a patient you would like to refer to one of our programs, please contact us at 310-423-3300 or heartinstitute@cshs.org. Our physicians will partner with you to understand and address the unique needs of your patient.
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