Lankenau Medical Center

Lankenau Medical Center is a quaternary care hospital and medical complex, providing patients with primary through highly specialized care as well as access to clinical trials. Part of Main Line Health, Lankenau Medical Center has been devoted to the health and well-being of the community since 1860. Our continued dedication to service, compassionate patient care and superior clinical programs make Lankenau a preferred destination for care by people throughout the Philadelphia region.  We invite you to join us for “The Future of Cardiac Care at Lankenau Medical Center“, a virtual program divided into two sections: Novel Advancements in Cardiac Surgery and Innovation in Cardiovascular Imaging. 

Pioneers at Heart

A Local Medical Center with a National Reputation

Lankenau Heart Institute, part of Main Line Health, is one of the top performing cardiovascular medicine and surgery programs in the country. 

Established in 2013, the Institute combines the leading-edge capabilities in cardiovascular diagnosis and treatment available at all four Main Line Health acute care hospitals—including pioneering minimally invasive surgical and transcatheter approaches to even the most complex cardiovascular disease—with the expertise of an experienced team of general and interventional cardiologists, electrophysiologists, cardiovascular surgeons, cardiac imaging specialists, and specially trained nurses and technicians. 

Through system-wide coordination of preventive, diagnostic, therapeutic, and rehabilitative cardiovascular services,  Lankenau Heart Institute physicians and clinical teams ensure seamless patient care and a level of quality and service unprecedented in the region.

National Leaders in Minimally Invasive and Robotic-Assisted Surgery

Philadelphia is one of the most saturated markets for cardiovascular care—but Lankenau Heart Institute continues to be a dominant force in the region, as well as nationally. For decades, our team of physicians have endorsed a practice of delivering superior patient care. Lankenau Heart Institute is a pioneer in the use of beating-heart techniques and robotic-assisted procedures for coronary artery revascularization, minimally invasive and transcatheter approaches for valve repair, replacement, and complex aortic surgeries.

Cardiac Surgery Initiates

• The Cardiac Surgery program is initiated by Dr. George Haupt.

1960

Cardiovascular Program Established

• Dr. Leonard Dreifus establishes the Cardiovascular program at Lankenau Hospital.

1972

Horace MacVaugh, III

• Horace MacVaugh, III, MD recruited as a chief, Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery.

1978

Cardiology Foundation of Lankenau

• The "Cardiology Foundation of Lankenau" is established as a non-profit foundation dedicated to CV research, education, and the delivery of high-quality cardiac care.

1982

Sustained Contributions

Cardiac physicians contribute over $5 million to support new technology, research and fellowship programs.

1982-1990

Dr. Goldman and Dr. Sutter

• Dr. Goldman starts as Chief of Cardiac Surgery. In July, Dr. Sutter joins the LMC team.

1989

Dr. Kowey

• Dr. Peter Kowey is appointed Chief, Division of Cardiovascular Disease.

1990

Cardiac Surgery and Electrophysiology Grow

• Interventional cardiology introduces new stent therapy

• Electrophysiology service grows to be the 2nd largest program in the five county PA market

• Cardiac surgery volume exceeds 1,100 cases annually, a figure that continues today.

1990-1994

1st Mini Mitral Repair

• Placement of perfusion catheters and cannulas in minimally invasive surgery; Dr Goldman performs 1st mini-mitral repair

1996

Main Line Health Heart Center

• The Cardiology Foundation of Lankenau expands its mission and membership, and is renamed “The Main Line Health Heart Center.”

1996

Center of Excellence Award

• Dr. Sutter performs 1st Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG). Lankenau Medical Center is named Center of Excellence for Beating Heart surgery.

2000

Lankenau Listed in U.S. News & World Report

• Lankenau Hospital is listed in U.S. News and World Report as one of top hospitals for heart care in United States. 

2001

First Robotic-Assisted CABG

• Dr. Sutter performs first Robotic-Assisted CABG.

2005

Cardiovascular Recognition

• Dr. Peter Kowey is awarded William Wikoff Smith Chair in Cardiovascular Research.

• Lankenau cardiac surgery program is recognized by PA Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4) for superior heart care.

2007

Structural Heart Program Established

• The Structural Heart program is established.  In September, the 1st TAVR procedure is performed.

2012

The Heart Pavilion Opens

• The Heart Pavilion opens on the Lankenau Medical Center campus.  In October, the Lankenau Heart Institute, a unified system of Cardiovascular care, is established,
By November, the 100th TAVR patient milestone occurs.

2013

Aortic Wellness Program Established

• The Aortic Wellness program is established in April.

• In August, Dr. Hawthorne is recruited, at which point the Lankenau Heart Institute’s Cardiac MRI program is initiated.

• The MitraClip procedure for transcatheter mitral valve repair is introduced.

2014

LMC Continues to Grow

• Dr. Gray is recruited as System Chief Cardiovascular Diseases, MLH and President of Lankenau Heart Institute

• LMC is selected as site for PARTNER 3 trial-TAVR for low risk patients

• LMC has now performed more percutaneous mitral valve repair procedures with post-FDA approval MitraClip than any other institution in Pennsylvania. 

• Lankenau’s clinical team develops A Woman’s Guide to Protect Her Heart, an educational guidebook that highlights the latest information on heart disease, specifically new risk factors that have been identified as having the greatest impact on women.

2016

100th MitraClip Patient Seen

• In July, the 100th MitraClip patient milestone for transcatheter mitral valve replacement occurs. 

• LMC is named one of only 60 worldwide sites for APOLLO trial for Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement.  

• Lankenau Heart Institute hosts 1st Philadelphia Cardiovascular Summit  regional CME event in November.

• Main Line Health becomes the first and only System in the Delaware Valley to offer Heart Flow FFRCT Analysis, a state-of-the art diagnostic testing option for patients with suspected coronary artery disease. 

2017

Cardio-Genetics Program Established

• Lankenau Heart Institute is invited to participate in National Network of Early Feasibility Studies and Continued Access trials- one of only 15 sites to provide rapid initiation of first-in-human novel FDA trial pathway.

• The Cardio-genetics program is established to offer crucial insights for personalized care, especially in those patients with inherited conditions but no external signs of disease.

2019

Continued Excellence

• In August, Dr. Ramlawi is recruited as System Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery for Main Line Health and Co-Director of the Lankenau Heart Institute.

• By early December, Lankenau has surpassed 2,200 robotic CABG cases and 1,400 TAVR cases.

2020

Male & Female


Innovation in Cardiac Imaging

Advanced Cardiac Imaging

Lankenau Medical Center offers state-of-the-art imaging for better diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease, using the most advanced technology available to capture images of the heart, arteries and blood vessels in order to better diagnose cardiovascular disease. The team not only uses advanced, high resolution imaging tools such as cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography scanners, but also focuses on the development of novel, technologies and diagnostic and non-invasive tests. Lankenau was the first hospital in the region to use HeartFlow FFRCT analysis, a non-invasive technology to bring more certainty to our patients with suspected coronary artery disease.

These various imaging technologies allow physicians to make accurate diagnoses and determine the appropriate treatment plan to ensure patient safety.

Novel Advancements in Cardiac Surgery

Robotic-Assisted Coronary Bypass Surgery

The majority of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) operations in the U.S. are still being performed traditionally, requiring a 10- to 14-inch chest incision and requiring the heart-lung machine.

At Lankenau, we offer minimally invasive options including off-pump beating heart surgery, avoiding the heart-lung machine, and minimally invasive robotic-assisted coronary bypass, avoiding sternotomy (opening the chest).

Dr. Francis Sutter has performed more than 2,200 robotic CABG procedures—more than any other surgeon in the U.S. He and his dedicated team have worked together for more than 15 years, providing a variety of best-practice options such as a hybrid approach for multi-vessel coronary artery disease that combines robotic-assisted surgery with the placement of coronary stents.

Lankenau Medical Center has provided training for surgeons, nurses, and other healthcare professionals both nationally and internationally for over 30 years. They come to learn the beating-heart technique as well the robotic-assisted approach. In addition, Dr. Sutter has presented his pioneering methods to cardiothoracic surgeons, cardiologists and anesthesiologists across the globe.

Minimally Invasive Approaches to Structural and Valvular Disease

Lankenau Heart Institute offers a dedicated team comprised of prominent cardiac surgeons, interventional cardiologists, cardiac imaging specialists, and advanced care nurses who have specialized in structural heart and valvular disease for more than 20 years. 

Our capability for rapid and smooth introduction of new techniques and devices is based on collaboration. This multidisciplinary team performs more structural heart/valve procedures than 90% of other centers in the nation, positioning us as a referral center for conditions that have been deemed untreatable. Global recognition of our expertise has brought program growth, along with an expansion of clinical trials, leading to excellence in care for patients.

Saving Lives in the Community

The advanced Cardiac imaging technologies and services offered at Lankenau allow doctors and surgeons to detect and treat conditions fast. We implore the latest technologies in preventive cardiology- such as cardiovascular genetic testing- in order to create a more personalized, early-action care plan.

How to Help

Philanthropic Partnership

Philanthropy is an enduring and essential component to cardiac care at Lankenau Medical Center. Generous support from donors and community members like you have propelled us to excellence and sustain our impressive cardiac care offerings. We are a nationally renowned center, and philanthropy is a vital component to our continued preeminence. With your support, we remain trailblazers in cardiac care, research, and education. And philanthropy buoys our ability to offer the best care options to patients from the Philadelphia region and beyond, securing our reputation among the top cardiac programs in the nation.

OUR CORE PRINCIPLES

1.
Patient Centered Care

2.
Physician Collaboration

3.
Commitment to Value

4.
Clinical Innovation

Priority Funding Opportunities

New and Upgraded Cardiac Catheterization Labs and Hybrid ORs

New and upgraded cardiac catheterization labs and hybrid ORs will allow for versatility and flexibility as our team completes minimally invasive tests and procedures to diagnose and treat cardiovascular disease.

Imaging Technology

New imaging technology – like CT and PET Scanners, Echocardiogram and MRI machines and software, and surgical imaging tools – will allow our team to continue performing early diagnosis and effective operations.

Endowed Chairs

Endowed chairs will continue to attract and retain the best and brightest in their respective fields, advancing clinical, educational, and research initiatives across the system.

Dual-Console Robots

Dual console robots will allow us to continue effectively training the next generation of skilled providers.

Clinical & Research Navigators

Clinical and Research nurse navigators will enhance patient experience and accelerate scientific advances.

Learn More

To learn more about philanthropic support for the Lankenau Heart Institute, please contact Katie Beddis at 484-476-8067 or [email protected].