Silver Cross Hospital’s Cardiac Surgery Expansion Opens

NEW LENOX, IL — Silver Cross Hospital has now opened its new $22 million cardiac expansion. Silver Cross has had one of the busiest heart programs in Illinois, and was ranked eighth largest in the state in 2018, according to the hospital.

The new expansion includes: two Cardiovascular Operating Rooms; a Cardiac Hybrid Room for a special type of minimally invasive procedure called TAVR, transcatheter aortic valve replacement; two Recovery Rooms; a 16-bed cardiovascular unit where heart patients will stay before and after their procedures; four Cardiac Echo and Stress Testing Rooms; and space for future growth including a 16-bed observation unit and neonatal intensive care unit.

According to the hospital, patients needing aortic valve replacement may be able to avoid open heart surgery using TAVR, where a new tissue heart valve is implanted through a catheter about the size of a pen through an artery in the leg and up into the heart.

Interventional cardiologist and Structural Heart Medical Director Dr. Ravi Ramana has performed over 500 TAVR procedures in the past nine years at a suburban Chicago hospital, and is excited about offering it to patients at Silver Cross, the hospital said.

“Thanks to the planning, dedication and generosity of so many people, today, we officially open our 33,000-square-foot cardiac surgery procedural facility,” Silver Cross President and Chief Executive Officer Ruth Colby said in a release. “With the very best medical technology and outstanding clinical expertise I’m so proud that our patients who need heart care can get it close to home and at a hospital they trust -- Silver Cross."