Coronary Artery Disease Program
The Coronary Artery Disease Program at the Massachusetts General Hospital Heart Center treats coronary artery disease, the blockage of the heart's arteries due to cholesterol build-up.
- Request an appointment or referral
- Phone: 866-MGH-8910
Our Approach
Anyone with coronary artery disease (coronary heart disease) can benefit from the expertise within the Coronary Artery Disease Program at the Massachusetts General Hospital Heart Center. Patients are often referred here if their current medical treatment is not working or if they have a coronary arteriogram that is of concern to the referring cardiologist.
Treatments and Procedures
The Coronary Artery Disease Program is made up of a highly experienced clinical team that plans and applies a treatment process that is tailored to each patient’s condition, age, symptoms and risk factors. Physicians draw upon several diagnostic tests and procedures to determine the best line of treatment. These diagnostic procedures include:
- 64-slice cardiac CT scanning
- Echocardiography
- Cardiac catheterization
- Intravascular ultrasound
- Nuclear perfusion imaging
- PET imaging
Managing Complex Conditions
Patients with the following conditions in addition to coronary artery disease may particularly benefit:To manage these patients, diabetologists and other specialists are available to join our decision making team, as appropriate.
Our physicians are at the forefront when it comes to the latest treatment and therapies for coronary artery disease. Some of the advanced treatments and procedures offered within the Coronary Artery Disease Program include:
- High-risk coronary artery interventions
- Off-pump (beating heart) bypass procedures, in addition to traditional bypass surgery
- Percutaneous coronary intervention
- Minimally invasive techniques and medications to control symptoms
- Coronary artery disease prevention
- Specialized care for women's heart conditions
Coordinated, Patient-Centered Care
Each patient is assigned one physician to oversee his or her care while at the Heart Center. Care is coordinated so it is as convenient as possible for patients - office consults and any additional testing indicated are scheduled on the same day if possible.
For those who need to be hospitalized, there are five cardiac units especially geared to the level of patient care needed. The Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory and the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit are on the same floor in adjacent buildings, for example, so patients can be admitted and moved seamlessly from one place to another.
From the operating room, patients go to the Cardiac Surgical Intensive Care Unit and, when ready, to the Cardiac Surgical Step-down Unit. Each unit is staffed with specially trained nurses who have the clinical expertise as well as the compassion to support patients.
About This Program
At the Coronary Artery Disease Program at the Massachusetts General Hospital Heart Center, patients benefit from a collective recommendation made by a team of three cardiac specialists. This multidisciplinary team includes a clinical cardiologist, an interventional cardiologist and a cardiac surgeon. This approach affords each patient the benefit of a balanced, comprehensive assessment of his or her clinical problem.
State-of-the-Art Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory
Specialists within our state-of-the-art Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory provide advanced treatments for coronary artery disease. Procedures performed in the cardiac catheterization laboratory include:
- Intravascular ultrasound
- Balloon angioplasty
- Stenting
- Rotational and directional atherectomy
- Clot removal and distal protection devices
Our leading interventional cardiologists also perform "unprotected" left main coronary artery and other high-risk percutaneous coronary interventions that use intraaortic balloon or percutaneous left ventricular support devices.
Experienced in Beating Heart Surgery
Physicians at the Coronary Artery Disease Program are experienced in using beating heart surgery to treat patients who are at high risk for coronary artery bypass surgeries (CABG) using conventional cardiopulmonary bypass.
Our surgeons stabilize a portion of the heart with special instruments while permitting normal blood flow through the heart. This procedure is known as beating heart surgery, or off-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Beating heart surgery is often desirable because it prevents the use of clamping on the body's main blood vessels. Some patients who undergo beating heart surgery experience shorter surgeries, remove their breathing tubes sooner after surgery and experience shorter intensive care unit stays than traditional patients.
Conditions and Diseases
The care team at the Heart Center encourages all patients and family members to learn more about conditions and diseases that affect the heart and overall cardiovascular system. The links below provide more information about heart conditions and diseases that might be treated within this program.
Coronary Heart Disease
Coronary heart disease occurs when cholesterol builds up within the walls of the heart’s arteries (coronary arteries), forming what is called plaque.
Heart Attack
A heart attack occurs when one or more regions of the heart muscle experience a severe or prolonged lack of oxygen caused by blocked blood flow to the heart muscle.
Support and Wellness
Mass General is dedicated to ensuring that people understand their health care choices and have the necessary information to make decisions affecting their health and well being. The related support and wellness information listed below can play a role in treatment options.
Guide to Cardiac Surgery
The Massachusetts General Hospital Heart Center offers a patient guide to cardiac surgery. Our dedicated clinicians believe it is important for you to know what to expect before, during and after your surgery.
Guide to Cardiac Catheterization
The Massachusetts General Hospital Heart Center offers a patient guide to cardiac catheterization. Our dedicated clinicians believe it is important for you to know what to expect before, during and after a cardiac catheterization.
Guide to Cardiac Anesthesia
The Massachusetts General Hospital Heart Center offers a patient guide to cardiac anesthesia. Our dedicated clinicians believe it is important for you to know what to expect before, during and after a cardiac anesthesia.
News and Events
02/12/2008: Hope for patients with ischemic heart disease
Patients with ischemic heart disease, a serious condition that occurs when the heart’s own arteries become clogged with cholesterol plaque, may have new options if they have exhausted traditional cardiovascular therapies.
An advanced cardiac CT scanner
Physicians at the Massachusetts General Hospital Heart Center use cutting edge technology to identify possible cardiac abnormalities.
Advanced research on coronary artery disease
In a segment produced by ABC News, Thomas Wang, MD, cardiologist at the Massachusetts General Hospital Heart Center, explains some of the innovative research done on the root causes of coronary artery disease.
Risk factors for heart disease
Risk factors for heart disease include smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, family history of heart disease and high cholesterol. Learn what you can do to overcome your risk for heart disease.
Heart Center
55 Fruit StreetBoston, MA 02114
Phone: 866-MGH-8910
Public Transportation Access: yes
Disabled Access: yes
If you are a new patient, you may complete our online appointment form to request an appointment. Our outpatient access nurse will ask you more about your condition and symptoms, and match you with the best-fitting Heart Center physician.
Request an appointment at the Heart Center 
Call the Massachusetts General Hospital Heart Center outpatient access nurse at 866-MGH-8910
