When it comes to your heart, you want the best care possible. The heart surgery team at St. Elizabeth Healthcare is delivering cutting-edge procedures and care that improve outcomes and quality of life.
Dr. Juan Penaranda, a Cardiac Surgeon at St. Elizabeth Healthcare explains what patients can expect and feel confident about when it comes to their heart care here.
Q: What Makes St. Elizabeth a Leader in Advanced Heart Surgery?
St. Elizabeth is certified by The Joint Commission and the American Heart Association as a Comprehensive Cardiac Center, placing it among an elite group of hospitals nationwide. Our cardiac surgery program has earned the highest possible rating of 3-stars from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons for CABG and mitral valve replacement and repair surgeries which is awarded to fewer than 10% of participating programs in the country.
“We’re one of the few centers in the country performing advanced totally endoscopic valve surgeries,” says Dr. Penaranda. “From valve repair to multi-valvular replacements, we are right here in Northern Kentucky.”
Q: What Are the Benefits of Minimally Invasive and Totally Endoscopic Techniques?
St. Elizabeth performs 99% of mitral valve operations using minimally invasive totally endoscopic techniques, offering shorter hospital stays and better outcomes.
“Patients recover much quicker. Their post-operative period is easier, with significantly less pain. They’re able to return to work and daily life faster,” says Dr. Penaranda.
Q: What Mital Valve Conditions Can Be Treated With Totally Endoscopic Approaches?
The team at St. Elizabeth treats a wide range of mitral valve conditions including mitral valve:
- Regurgitation
- Stenosis
- Infections
- Tumors
“We can do repairs or replacements of the mitral valve using these endoscopic techniques,” Dr. Penaranda adds.
Q: What Innovative Procedures Do You Want Patients to Know About?
“The Ross procedure is where we take the pulmonary valve of the patient and place it into their aortic valve position,” explains Dr. Penaranda. “Instead of using a traditional surgical valve, we use the patient’s own tissue.” This is especially beneficial for younger patients who need a durable solution with strong long-term outcomes.
Other advanced technology and procedures offered at St. Elizabeth include but are not limited to left ventricular assist device (LVAD) surgery, 3D 4K totally endoscopic technology and robot-assisted heart surgeries.
Q: What Should Patients Look For When Choosing a Cardiac Surgeon?
“Expertise, compassion and positive outcomes,” says Dr. Penaranda. “You want someone who’s experienced in the procedure you need.”
Cardiac surgery care at St. Elizabeth is ranked in the 99th percentile for patient satisfaction and has received top ratings from U.S. News & World Report and Healthgrades.
Q: When Should Someone Seek a Second Opinion?
“If a patient isn’t comfortable with their treatment plan or wants to explore minimally invasive options not offered elsewhere, that’s a good time to seek a second opinion,” says Dr. Penaranda. “We’d be happy to have a consultation with you.”
St. Elizabeth encourages patients to take control of their health and offers easy access to second opinions.
Q: What Advice Do You Have For Patients Preparing For Heart Surgery?
“The best way to prepare for surgery is to not wait too long to have surgery,” Dr. Penaranda advises. “When patients come to us without waiting too long they have better results and a shorter recovery time.
If you or a loved one could benefit from Heart Surgery at St. Elizabeth, schedule a consultation using our online form or call (859) 301-9010 with any questions.
Medically reviewed by Juan Penaranda, MD on 11/17/25.
