St. Joseph’s Health Sets Record for Cardiac Surgeries, Expands Advanced Care in Central New York

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — St. Joseph’s Health Cardiovascular Institute (CVI) has reached a major milestone, completing 1,223 cardiac surgeries in 2025 - the highest volume recorded since 2007.

The landmark year reflects growing demand for advanced heart care in Central New York, along with expanded access to robotic and minimally invasive procedures that help patients recover faster and get back to their lives sooner. Clinical outcomes continue to meet or exceed national benchmarks, including consistent Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) 3-star ratings, the highest quality rating.

“This exceptional year reflects the exceptional skill, dedication, and teamwork of our cardiovascular surgeons, clinicians, and care teams,” said Meredith Boss-Myers, administrator of St. Joseph’s Health Cardiovascular Institute. “By delivering outstanding outcomes for increasingly complex patients and expanding minimally invasive and robotic options, we are strengthening access to advanced cardiac care close to home for patients across Central New York and the broader region.”

Surgical volume increased across all major service areas in 2025. The CVI completed 1,223 total surgeries, up from 1,209 in 2024, including 693 coronary artery bypass (CABG) procedures, which remain the program’s largest category. Valve procedures included 94 aortic valve replacements and 114 mitral valve interventions.

The CVI continues to expand robotic and minimally invasive surgery, allowing more patients to benefit from less invasive approaches. In 2025, 187 robotic CABG procedures were performed, representing 27.8% of bypass surgeries, while 36.6% of all procedures were completed using minimally invasive techniques. The program also saw continued growth in hybrid and thoracotomy-based procedures.

“There are very few centers in the U.S. that can match our combination of patient volume, high quality care, cutting-edge minimally invasive and robotic surgical approaches, and our team’s commitment to clinical excellence,” said Dr. Charles Lutz, cardiothoracic surgeon.

Despite treating a high-risk patient population with advanced comorbidities and greater surgical complexity, outcomes remained strong. St. Joseph’s Health reported a 1.7% operative mortality rate and an observed-to-expected mortality ratio of 0.63, aligning with or outperforming national benchmarks. Advanced cardiac therapies were used to support the most complex cases, including 53 intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) cases, 48 Impella cases, and 43 ECMO cases.

“We care for some of the most critically ill cardiac patients - many of whom may not be candidates elsewhere - and we provide them with advanced treatment options and compassionate care during what is often a very difficult and uncertain time,” said Dr. Zhandong Zhou, cardiothoracic surgeon.

"We have experienced tremendous growth over the past five years, performing most complex cardiac procedures on the sickest patients, and consistently obtaining excellent results,” said Dr. Anton Cherney, cardiothoracic surgeon. “We have expanded the volume of not just traditional open-heart surgery, done through breastbone incision, but also of minimally invasive and robotic approaches. We are proud to serve Syracuse and Central New York communities doing what we do."

In addition to patient care, the Cardiovascular Institute plays an important part in education and workforce development.

“Many people don’t realize that our Cardiovascular Institute serves a vital educational role in our local community by educating future generations of surgeons, medical students, clinical affiliates, and nursing students,” added Dr. Lutz. “We have ongoing collaborations with Upstate Medical University, LeMoyne College, University of Rochester and United Health Services in Binghamton.”

St. Joseph’s Health Cardiovascular Institute continues to expand access to advanced, minimally invasive cardiac surgery while delivering high-quality, patient-centered care to communities throughout Central New York.

About St. Joseph’s Health Cardiovascular Institute

St. Joseph’s Health Cardiovascular Institute is the region’s leading center for advanced heart and vascular care, delivering exceptional outcomes through clinical expertise, innovation, and a deeply patient‑centered approach. As the region’s foremost heart hospital, St. Joseph’s provides a full continuum of cardiovascular services—including preventive care, advanced diagnostics, interventional cardiology, electrophysiology, structural heart therapies, cardiothoracic surgery, and comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation—all supported by a team of exceptional specialists.

With some of the highest procedural volumes in the region and a long-standing commitment to adopting the latest technologies, St. Joseph’s Health consistently elevates the standard of care for patients with complex cardiac conditions. Its state‑of‑the‑art cardiac catheterization lab, hybrid operating suites, and robust structural heart and electrophysiology programs ensure patients receive cutting‑edge, minimally invasive treatment options close to home.

Recognized for excellence in quality, safety, and patient experience, the Cardiovascular Institute combines clinical leadership with compassionate, personalized care. From routine heart evaluations to the most advanced life‑saving interventions, St. Joseph’s Health Cardiovascular Institute continues to set the standard as Central New York’s premier destination for cardiac care.