The cardiac surgery departments at Zurich City Hospital, HOCH Health Ostschweiz, and the University Hospital of Zurich together form the Zurich-St. Cardiac Surgery Alliance. Gallen. Thanks to the alliance, patients benefit from high-quality and efficient treatment across the entire spectrum of cardiac surgery.
The Department of Cardiac Surgery at the University Hospital of Zurich treats the full spectrum of conditions requiring cardiac surgery—from coronary artery disease and valvular heart disease to complex procedures on the aorta and heart transplants. Together with the Department of Cardiology and other medical specialties, we develop a treatment plan tailored to each patient’s individual needs.
Together with the Zurich City Hospital and HOCH Health Ostschweiz, the University Hospital of Zurich forms the Zurich-St. Heart Surgery Alliance. Gallen. Patients benefit from high-quality, interdisciplinary, and efficient care across the entire spectrum of cardiac surgery.
Do you have any questions about our services, or would you like to contact the Heart Surgery Clinic? We’re happy to assist you and help you with your request.
Would you like to refer a patient for a cardiac surgery evaluation or treatment? Use our online referral service or contact us directly. We’re happy to assist you with any questions regarding referrals and scheduling appointments.
Referrer InformationCardiac surgery involves the surgical treatment of diseases of the heart and the blood vessels near the heart. These include, among others, coronary heart disease, heart valve disease, and aortic disease. The goal of every treatment is to find the best possible therapy for each patient.
The Department of Cardiac Surgery is part of the USZ Heart Center, where specialists from various fields work closely together. While the Department of Cardiology evaluates heart conditions and offers modern diagnostic procedures as well as medical and interventional treatments, the Department of Cardiac Surgery performs surgical procedures on the heart and the blood vessels near the heart.
The results of the diagnostic evaluation form the basis for further treatment planning. The participating specialists work together to evaluate the test results and determine the most appropriate treatment for each individual. This close collaboration continues throughout the entire course of treatment—from diagnosis and treatment planning through surgery to follow-up care and rehabilitation.
Not every heart condition requires surgery. In many cases, symptoms can initially be treated with medication. Whether cardiac surgery is necessary depends, among other things, on the type and severity of the condition, the patient’s symptoms, and the patient’s overall health.
Heart surgery is particularly an option when other treatment options are insufficient or when surgery is the best long-term treatment. The decision is based on comprehensive evaluations and diagnostic tests. The specialists involved work together as part of the “Heart Team” to evaluate the findings and recommend the most appropriate treatment for each individual.
The Department of Cardiac Surgery treats the full spectrum of heart diseases and diseases of the blood vessels near the heart that can be treated surgically. Depending on the clinical presentation, different surgical procedures are used. Below is a list of some of the most common conditions we treat.
Note: Not all heart conditions are treated with surgery. Conditions such as arrhythmias or high blood pressure are often treated by cardiologists. If surgery is necessary, the cardiology and cardiac surgery departments at the USZ work closely together.
The Department of Cardiac Surgery offers the full range of modern cardiac surgical treatments. Depending on the condition, different surgical procedures are used. Below is an overview of our most important treatment options.
In addition, the Cardiac Surgery Clinic offers other specialized procedures and treatments. You can find a complete overview on our page about our medical services.
The process leading to cardiac surgery usually begins with a referral from a family doctor, a cardiologist, or another hospital. After a thorough evaluation at the USZ Heart Center, the specialists involved will plan a treatment plan tailored to each patient’s individual needs.
The exact course of treatment depends on the specific heart condition and the individual’s circumstances. A typical process involves the following steps:
The Department of Cardiac Surgery at the USZ is committed to modern cardiac medicine, interdisciplinary collaboration, and high-quality care. Find out what sets our clinic apart and why patients and referring physicians choose to receive treatment at the USZ.
Thanks to increasing life expectancy and better therapeutic options, we are seeing more older patients today than in the past. They often have a whole range of secondary diseases that unfortunately prevented heart surgery just a few years ago. Today, we can often help these seriously ill heart patients. We are happy to support you with information about heart surgery on our website. Individual solutions require individual advice. We would therefore like to encourage you to contact us directly if you have any questions.
We want to offer and provide excellent medical care and sustainably support the University Hospital’s leading position in this area. As a maximum care provider, we offer all treatment options at all times and are on call for you around the clock all year round.
In the “World’s Best Specialized Hospitals 2026” ranking, the Clinic for Cardiac Surgery came out as the best Swiss specialist clinic and achieved an excellent ranking worldwide. We are very pleased to receive this recognition, which underscores our team’s dedication and hard work in caring for our patients.
The Department of Cardiac Surgery is supported by an experienced team of cardiac surgeons and other specialized professionals. Together with experts from various disciplines, we support our patients every step of the way—from diagnosis through surgery to follow-up care.
Cardiac surgery involves the surgical treatment of diseases of the heart and the blood vessels near the heart. These include, among other things, bypass surgery, heart valve surgery, aortic procedures, heart transplants, and the use of mechanical cardiac assist devices.
Cardiology specializes in the diagnosis and the pharmacological and interventional treatment of heart disease. Cardiac surgery involves surgical procedures on the heart and the blood vessels near the heart. Both departments work closely together at the USZ Heart Center and jointly determine the most appropriate treatment for each patient.
Cardiac surgery encompasses various surgical specialties. Among the most important are bypass surgery, heart valve surgery, and procedures on the aorta. Most of these procedures are already performed using a minimally invasive technique. Depending on the condition, heart transplants or mechanical cardiac assist devices may also be used.
The duration of heart surgery depends on the type and complexity of the procedure. Minor procedures often take a few hours, while more complex surgeries take correspondingly longer. Before the surgery, your care team will explain the planned procedure to you.
The length of stay depends on the procedure and the individual’s recovery process. Patients typically spend 1–2 nights in the intensive care unit first, followed by about 5 days on the general ward, before being discharged home or transferred to a rehabilitation clinic.
At the University Hospital, the majority of procedures are performed using minimally invasive techniques. However, this is not always possible for complex surgeries, and patients are informed in advance about the appropriate surgical approach.
After surgery, rehabilitation begins with mobility exercises in the hospital. Depending on the patient’s condition, outpatient or inpatient rehabilitation is then provided to gradually rebuild physical function and support recovery.
