UP Health System – Marquette Bringing the Latest Innovation in Heart & Vascular Care to the Region

UP Health System – Marquette (UPHS – Marquette) has been a longtime leader in heart and vascular care in the Upper Peninsula, but recent advancements in technology and the onboarding of new, extensively qualified physicians have catapulted the facility to new heights.

From expanding robotic-assisted surgery to include cardiothoracic procedures and the introduction of minimally invasive aortic aneurysm repair and aortic valve repair, the Heart & Vascular team at UPHS – Marquette is giving patients access to quality, lifesaving care right here at home. 

Robotic-assisted Surgery

In 2021, UPHS – Marquette introduced a robotic surgical system that helps surgeons ensure precise technique and enhance surgical outcomes. Initially, this technology was used to perform complex general surgery and urologic cases—and now it’s expanded its practice to include cardiothoracic surgeries. Guided by our trained surgeons, the robotic technology uses multi-jointed, wristed instruments and a high-definition camera, allowing for more accurate and minimally invasive procedures and faster recovery for patients. Robotic-assisted surgery is now being used for both heart and lung surgery at UPHS – Marquette. More than 10 robotic-assisted heart surgeries have been completed, all with positive outcomes.

“I’m excited to bring this technology to the Upper Peninsula,” said David Cable, MD, board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon at UPHS – Marquette’s Heart & Vascular Center. “With it, we are able to offer these minimally invasive procedures that allow patients to recover quicker and improve their outcomes.”

Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair (TEVAR)

UPHS – Marquette last year began practicing TEVAR surgery to treat aneurysms that occur in the aorta, the body’s largest artery that carries oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the rest of the body. When a patient has a thoracic aortic aneurysm, there’s a weakening or bulging area in the wall of the aorta. Dr. Cable described these types of aneurysms as a “ticking time bomb.” If they rupture, it can be fatal, so providing patients with a timely repair is vital.

TEVAR is done using a small incision to implant a device called a stent graft, which reinforces the aneurysm from the inside and prevents it from bursting. “The stent is like relining the blood vessel from the inside,” said Dr. Cable. “The aneurysm remains, but all the blood flows through the stent and the aneurysm just clots off.”

In January, several heart and vascular surgeons at UPHS – Marquette completed a scheduled TEVAR procedure. New advancements are happening all the time at UPHS – Marquette to bring patients the best care. Vascular Surgeon Ryan Meehan, MD, and Interventional Radiologist Jacob Haakola, MD, are working to bring more new devices to patients in our region.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)

TAVR is another minimally invasive surgery that uses smaller incisions than traditional open-heart surgery to treat aortic stenosis—the most common type of heart valve disease that prevents your aortic valve from fully opening or closing. This newest technology allows surgeons to replace aortic valves through a small incision in the groin, in which the device is threaded, traveling through the femoral artery and across the aortic valve to complete the replacement. About 80-90 percent of aortic valve replacement surgeries at UPHS – Marquette are now done using TAVR, with great success.

“It’s all about the accessibility,” said Dr. Cable. “With these advancements, we’re providing more access to high-quality services right here in the Upper Peninsula. Patients can be more comfortable close to home while also having a high level of confidence in their care.”

Meet the Heart and Vascular Team at UPHS – Marquette

As an accredited chest pain center, UPHS offers a spectrum of heart and vascular care services, including interventional cardiology, electrophysiology, cardiovascular surgery, vascular surgery, vein care and more. Click here to meet our Heart & Vascular team, and learn about our heart accreditations and heart attack warning signs.

How well do you know your heart? Take our free heart health assessment to get started. If you would like to speak to a provider about your heart health, UPHS can help. Call 844.411.UPHS (8747) or visit the “Find a Provider” tab at UPHealthSystem.com to schedule an appointment today. In the event of a heart-related emergency, call 9-1-1. Minutes matter, and acting quickly may save a life, including your own.