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Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery

Transform care through cutting edge surgical innovation and hands-on clinical and research excellence in cardiac and thoracic surgery.

The Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery at MUSC provides the finest in patient care offering innovative, minimally invasive approaches and procedures whenever possible. And, as the only academic medical institution in S.C., our heart surgeons master revolutionary surgical procedures.

In many situations we use a Heart Team approach, collaborating with our world class colleagues in areas like cardiology and vascular surgery. Together we develop innovative strategies resulting in the highest level care with the least invasive procedures. Our goal is the best and safest care that affords the most rapid recovery and return to full activity.

  • Our surgical team is the only one in South Carolina with the experience and expertise to perform complex surgical procedures such as heart transplantation, robotic valve surgery and complex aortic surgeries.
  • U.S. News & World Report ranks MUSC Health as high performing in aortic valve surgery and heart bypass surgery.
  • MUSC Health is proud to announce that it has received a Blue Distinction® Center+ designation in Adult Heart Transplant, an Optum Center of Excellence (COE) and LifeTrac 'Select' Adult Heart Transplant Center.
  • MUSC Health has earned a distinguished three-star rating from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)—placing us among the top programs in the United States and Canada.
  • Marc R. Katz, M.D., performed the state's first robotically assisted, FDA-approved thoracic surgical procedure for patients who have a leaking mitral valve.

Although we are experts in our field, our patients and their families are integral parts of the decision-making process. Patients are “experts in themselves,” and their thoughts, perspectives and desires help craft a plan for the ideal outcome.

 

Our Faculty

Arman Kilic, M.D.

ICCE Chief, Heart & Vascular
Division Chief, Cardiothoracic Surgery
Director, Heart Failure & Transplant Program
Professor, College of Medicine - Surgery

Quynh Chu, M.D.

Assistant Professor

Kathryn E. Engelhardt, M.D., MS

Cardiothoracic Surgeon

Barry Gibney, D.O.

Cardiothoracic Surgery Integrated Residency
Associate Program Director

Nicolas Pope, M.D.

Cardiothoracic Surgery Integrated Residency
Program Director

Lucas Witer, M.D.

Sanford Zeigler, M.D.

Fred A. Crawford, M.D.

John M. Kratz, M.D.

Emeritus Professor of Surgery

Robert Sade, M.D.

Marissa Anne Mayor, M.D.

Assistant Professor, Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery

Clinical Faculty

Krishna Bhandari, M.D.

Claudio Guareschi, M.D.

Vasant Jayasankar, M.D.

Research Faculty

Jeffrey Jones, Ph.D.

Rupak Mukherjee, Ph.D.

Contact Our Division

Adult Cardiac Surgery
Main: 843-876-4841

General Thoracic Surgery
Main: 843-876-4844