St. Elizabeth Healthcare is transforming cardiac care with groundbreaking technology and a commitment to healing that’s changing lives across our region.
In Northern Kentucky, heart surgery is entering a new era. At St. Elizabeth Healthcare, cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Mario Castillo-Sang is pioneering a technique called Totally Endoscopic Cardiac Surgery (TECS) – a minimally invasive approach that’s transforming how heart conditions are treated and who can be treated.
Dr. Castillo-Sang uses one of only two 3D 4K endoscopic platforms in the country to perform totally endoscopic minimally invasive surgery. Using this advanced imaging technology, he performs complex heart procedures through a single two- to three-centimeter incision – without opening the chest or cutting bone. “It’s like having a magnified, high-definition view of the heart,” he says. “The precision it offers is game-changing – it almost feels like cheating.”
TECS: Small Incision, Big Possibilities
Often called the “Swiss Army knife” of heart surgery, TECS can treat a wide range of conditions – including valve disease, atrial fibrillation, septal defects and cardiac tumors – through a tiny incision. The benefits are significant: faster healing, shorter hospital stays and less reliance on pain medication.
– Average ICU stay is just 26 hours
– 76% of patients are extubated (breathing tube removed) in the operating room
– Only 20% require narcotics at discharge
Dr. Castillo-Sang is one of a few surgeons in the U.S. using TECS to treat mitral annular calcification (MAC) – a chronic condition that is very common in our region. MAC is a process where calcium accumulates on the mitral valve, affecting blood flow and heart function – it typically appears in patients age 70 or older. Treatment for this condition traditionally requires a sternotomy and the use of ultrasonic energy to pulverize calcium deposits. While effective, this approach carries significant risk. TECS offers a safer alternative for select patients, avoiding the need to open the chest and reducing the chance of complications.
St. Elizabeth’s expertise in mitral prolapse repair is nationally recognized. The program has earned the elite 3 out of 3-star rating from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons for mitral valve replacement and repair – an honor awarded to only the top-performing programs in the U.S. and Canada.
Elevating Regional Reputation
Cardiac surgeons from around the world come to the St. Elizabeth to train with Dr. Castillo-Sang, whose techniques are helping shape the future of cardiac surgery.
This September, St. Elizabeth will host the 2025 Endoscopic Cardiac Surgeons Club annual meeting at its Training and Education Center (SETEC) in Erlanger. The event will bring global leaders in minimally invasive heart surgery to our region, reinforcing St. Elizabeth Healthcare’s reputation as a destination for advanced cardiac care and medical excellence.
“Surgery is still an art,” says Dr. Castillo-Sang. “Technology is only as good as the team behind it. At St. Elizabeth, we’re investing in both.”
Whether you’re exploring treatment options for yourself or a loved one, discover how cardiac surgery at St. Elizabeth Healthcare helps you heal faster and get back to life sooner. We’re proud to serve the hearts of Northern Kentucky – literally and figuratively. To learn more, visit stelizabeth.com/heartsurgery or call (859) 301-9010.
