New York Cardiothoracic Group

Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the Westchester Medical Center, Dr. Steven Lansman, has been featured in a WMC ad titled "We've created a medical center where people are treated like their lives depend on it. Because they do." The ad was published in the Scarsdale Inquirer in September, 2009. Dr. Lansman specializes in coronary artery surgery, heart transplant surgery, aortic aneurysm ventricular assist device (lvad), and mitral valve surgery. Dr. Lansman was recently named to the 2009 Top Doctors list by New York Magazine.

Click to see the WMC ad

Mitral valve topics include:

• Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Repair
• Mitral Valve Repair
• Mitral Valve Stenosis and Regurgitation
• Mitral Valve Replacement
• Mitral Valve Treatment
• Mitral Valve Surgery

Dr. Steven Lansman Honored as Best Doctor in Thoracic Surgery

Dr. Steven Lansman of the New York Cardiothoracic Group has been named to New York Magazine's 2009 list of Best Doctors for the fourth consecutive year. This list profiles 1,107 of the best doctors in the New York, Connecticut and New Jersey areas.

Currently, Dr. Lansman is Professor of Surgery at New York Medical College and Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the Westchester Medical Center. Specialties include Heart Transplant, Coronary Artery Surgery, Mitral Valve Surgery, Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD), and Aortic Aneurysm.

Read the full press release: Best Heart Surgeons in New York

The mitral valve sits between the left ventricle and left atrium of the heart, and is comprised of an anterior leaflet and posterior leaflet. When the mitral valve is open, blood passes from the ventricle to the atrium. When closed, the mitral valve prevents blood from backing up into the atrium as the ventricle pumps blood out of the heart.

Leakage of the mitral valve is called mitral valve regurgitation and can be caused by a many different pathologic conditions. Three common conditions resulting in mitral valve regurgitation are:

• Excessive leaflet tissue, which prevents the leaflets from closing normally, leading to leakage of blood through the valve.

• Rupture of the muscles that support the leaflets, which prevents the valve from closing normally and results in leakage.

• Various adaptations to chronic heart failure can cause enlargement of the annulus of the mitral valve, thereby allowing leakage.

Mitral valve regurgitation can be successfully treated with surgery, and, if performed early enough, can limit progression of congestive heart failure. If you have mitral valve regurgitation, you should discuss medical therapy treatments as well as surgery with your cardiologist.

Learn more about Mitral Valve Regurgitation from the cardiac surgery specialists at NYCTG.

When facing heart transplant surgery, trust is crucial. You need to know that your surgeons have the experience and skills required to perform the surgery competently and provide the follow up care necessary for long term success.

The heart surgeons of the New York Cardiothoracic Group have experience with both heart transplant surgery and multi-organ transplant surgery. They are dedicated to providing outstanding care for heart-related conditions and strive to be leaders in their field.

Learn more about the NYCTG and their experience with heart transplant surgery.

Dr. Paul Saunders is an attending cardiothoracic surgeon at Westchester Medical Center in New York (New York Cardiothoracic Group) and Assistant Professor of Surgery in the Cardiothoracic Surgery section of the New York Medical College.

Dr. Saunders completed his Cardiothoracic Surgery and General Surgery training at New York University Medical Center and is licensed in New York State.

Dr. Saunders specializes in all aspects of adult heart surgery, with special emphasis on minimally invasive cardiac surgery and mitral valve repair.

Learn more about Dr. Paul Saunders, MD.

Learn About: Mitral Valve Repair Surgery

The mitral valve is located between the left atrium and left ventricle, and is comprised of two leaflets, anterior and posterior. When the mitral valve opens, blood is allowed to pass from the atrium to the ventricle. When closed, blood is prevented from backing up into the atrium as the ventricle pumps blood out of the heart.

When the mitral valve does not function properly, it can cause excessive leakage of blood back into the left atrium. In its most severe form, it can cause blood to back up into the lungs and cause deterioration of heart function. Together, these conditions are called congestive heart failure.

Previously, most valves had to be replaced, but now the mitral valve can be successfully repaired in over 90% of patients with mitral valve regurgitation. Mitral valve repair has significant advantages over mitral valve replacement surgery, as it is associated with better long term outcomes and less need for future surgery.

Visit our website to learn more about Mitral Valve Repair Surgery.

Dr. Steven Lansman (New York Cardiothoracic Group) Named in New York Magazine’s 2008 Best Doctors List

VALHALLA, NY — June 8, 2008 — Steven Lansman MD/PhD, Professor of Surgery at New York Medical College and Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Westchester Medical Center, was recently named to New York Magazine's list of 2008 Best Doctors. This list profiles the top 1,434 physicians in the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut areas.

The New York Magazine’s list represents about a quarter of the top 10 percent of New York-area physicians, as determined by Castle Connolly, a New York City research and information firm that publishes an annual guidebook titled Top Doctors: New York Metro Area. The guidebook lists the top 10 percent of the region’s physicians and profiles more than 6,000 in all. Doctors are selected through a peer-review process and the firm investigates each doctor’s credentials and disciplinary history. The list is also balanced based on geographic location and specialty.

Currently serving as Professor of Surgery at New York Medical College and Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Westchester Medical Center, Dr. Lansman of the New York Cardiothoracic Group has over twenty five years experience in the field of Thoracic Surgery and is honored, for the third consecutive year, to be chosen by his peers as one of the New York-area’s top specialists in Thoracic Surgery.

About the New York Cardiothoracic Group

The New York Cardiothoracic Group (NYCTG) – Drs. Steven Lansman, David Spielvogel, Ramin Malekan and Paul Saunders – is located at Westchester Medical Center (the clinical campus of New York Medical College.) Founded in 2005 by Drs Lansman and Spielvogel, the group specializes in heart surgery and is dedicated to providing cutting-edge surgical treatment for a wide range of cardiac and thoracic conditions. From coronary bypass grafting (CABG) to minimally invasive mitral valve repairs to repair of complex thoracic aortic aneurysms, the heart surgeons at NYCTG rely on their extensive experience to deliver outstanding results. To learn more about the NYCTG, call (914) 493-8793 or visit www.NYTCG.com.

New Content Added To Enhance User Experience

VALHALLA, NY – Sep 9, 2008 – The New York Cardiothoracic Group, heart surgery specialists at the Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, New York, recently added new content to their website to enhance the user experience and provide additional information to potential and existing patients.

The new content, added in September, 2008 includes a Frequently Asked Questions section that provides details on scheduling a consultation and what to expect before, during and after heart surgery. Topics include:

• How can I be seen by the heart surgeons at the New York Cardiothoracic Group?
• What types of surgery are performed by the heart surgeons of the New York Cardiothoracic Group?
• Where and when can I speak with a physician about my condition?
• What should I do to prepare for my consultation?
• What can I expect from my consultation?
• What happens after my consultation?
• What type of presurgical testing will I need?
• What happens on the day of surgery?
• What can my family do while I am in surgery?
• What can I expect after surgery?
• When will I be discharged from the hospital?

The New York Cardiothoracic Group plans to augment this section over time to provide visitors with more information on their practice and the latest advances in cardiac surgery.

About the New York Cardiothoracic Group:
The NYCTG is located at the Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, NY. Heart surgeons include Dr. Steven Lansman, Dr. David Spielvogel, Dr. Ramin Malekan, and Dr. Paul Saunders. Specialties include mitral valve repair and other valve procedures, thoracic aortic aneurysms repair, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), ventricular assist devices, and heart transplantation.

Follow the links to learn more about the NYCTG.

Welcome to the blog of the New York Cardiothoracic Group. We are heart surgeons at New York’s Westchester Medical Center specializing in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), mitral valve repair and other valve procedures, thoracic aortic aneurysms repair, heart transplantation, and ventricular assist devices.

Visit the website of the New York Cardiothoracic Group to learn more our heart surgeons or get directions to our New York offices.