Dr. Lee in Surgery

US Top 10% in Open Heart Surgery

Mercy’s Heart Center is the recipient of the distinguished three-star rating for open heart surgery, the highest rating as reported by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Learn more about our quality and innovation, driving advanced heart care in Iowa and beyond.

Open Heart Surgery (Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting [CABG])

Preparing for Open Heart Surgery

Preparing for Open Heart Surgery

Patient Education

Learn more about what to expect before, during and after your coronary artery bypass graft (CABG or bypass) surgery by watching the following three videos.

Before Heart Surgery: Watch video

During Heart Surgery: Watch video

After Heart Surgery: Watch video

Meet our board-certified, fellowship-trained cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon

C.C. Lee,
MD, FACS
Cardiovascular
& Thoracic
Surgeon

Mercy’s Cardiothoracic and Vascular Clinic is led by C.C. Lee, MD, FACS with over 25 years of experience in cardiac, thoracic, vascular and endovascular surgery. In addition to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery and valve therapies, Dr. Lee performs a variety of other procedures including minimally invasive off pump CABG surgery, surgical atrial fibrillation and complex aortic pathologies (including thoracic aneurysms and life threatening aortic dissections). He also performs thoracic procedures robotically, and treats hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and esophageal disease.

Read a profile from The Gazette (PDF), March 29, 2017, and "Mercy marks a first: CR Hospital launches open heart surgery program" (PDF) from The Gazette, Nov. 14, 2017.