A History of Firsts. A Future of What's Possible: Advancing Cardiac Surgery for Patients and Providers Everywhere
A History Built on What's Next
For the past decade, WVU Heart and Vascular Institute (HVI) has pushed the boundaries of what is possible in cardiac surgery, caring for patients from across the United States and around the world. Through bold innovation, rigorous research and highly specialized care, HVI has become a premier destination for patients with complex cardiovascular conditions and a trusted partner for referring providers.
Since its founding, HVI has delivered a remarkable series of first-in-state procedures and programs that have expanded treatment options for patients across West Virginia and the region. In 2016, HVI became the first in the state to implant a device to treat mitral regurgitation. The following year, HVI established West Virginia’s first ECMO program. In 2018, the team followed with the state’s first left ventricular assist device, or LVAD, implantation.
One milestone in particular transformed the landscape of advanced cardiac care in the state. In November 2019, HVI performed West Virginia’s first heart transplant, giving patients with end-stage heart failure access to a lifesaving treatment close to home rather than out of state.
Pioneering Robotic Cardiac Surgery
Innovation remains at the heart of HVI’s cardiac surgery program, continually creating new possibilities for patients with complex heart conditions.
In January 2020, HVI surgeons performed the first right lateral transaxle robotic aortic valve replacement (RAVR) in the world. The procedure, pioneered at HVI, uses a small incision between the ribs instead of a traditional sternotomy. Later that year, the team made history again, completing the world’s first fully robotic combination of aortic valve replacement, mitral valve repair and surgical ablation for atrial fibrillation.
The breakthroughs kept coming in October 2024, when surgeons performed the world’s first fully robotic combined aortic valve replacement and coronary artery bypass procedure. The operation treated both valve disease and coronary artery disease through a single small incision, offering a promising new pathway for patients who would traditionally require open-heart surgery.
In May 2025, the surgical team achieved another world first by completing a robotic TAVR explant and aortic valve replacement. The procedure allowed surgeons to remove a failing transcatheter valve and replace it without opening the patient’s breastbone.
This spirit of innovation also extends across HVI’s multidisciplinary cardiovascular programs. In 2025, HVI physicians became the first in West Virginia and the region to perform a transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement, bringing a much-needed new treatment option to patients with severe tricuspid valve disease who may be at high risk for surgery.
Today, HVI is proud to be home to the world’s first robotic aortic valve replacement program. Its continued growth reflects a commitment not only to pioneering new techniques, but also to thoughtfully expanding treatment options for appropriately selected patients.
Innovation Backed by Quality
Being first is only part of the story. At HVI, innovation goes hand in hand with quality, experience and exceptional outcomes.
WVU Heart and Vascular Institute has earned national and international recognition for the exceptional quality of its cardiac surgery care. U.S. News & World Report has recognized WVU Medicine as the highest-rated hospital in West Virginia for cardiology and heart surgery.
In 2025, WVU Medicine earned multiple national quality awards for complex heart surgery, placing its program in the elite top 3% in the United States. In 2026, HVI again earned the highest ratings from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons for heart surgery quality. The American Heart Association has also nationally recognized WVU Medicine J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital for its commitment to excellence in heart disease, stroke and diabetes care, reflecting a broader dedication to comprehensive cardiovascular health.
These distinctions are a testament to the deep expertise, seamless multidisciplinary collaboration, and relentless commitment to quality improvement that define how HVI cares for patients with complex cardiovascular conditions.
A Decade of Advancing Care
As WVU Heart and Vascular Institute celebrates its 10th anniversary, these milestones tell a larger story — one of vision, persistence and an unwavering focus on patients.
From West Virginia’s first heart transplant to world-first advances in robotic cardiac surgery, HVI has expanded access to highly specialized treatment and nationally recognized expertise right here in West Virginia. Each advancement has been driven by the same goal: to give patients more options and help them achieve the best possible outcomes.
That work continues — and the best is yet to come.
WVU Heart and Vascular Institute brings together cutting-edge technology, world-class expertise and multidisciplinary care for patients with complex cardiovascular conditions. For referring providers, HVI is a trusted destination for patients who may benefit from advanced evaluation or specialized surgical treatment. For patients and families, it offers expertise, options, and hope when the path forward may seem uncertain.
A history of firsts. A future of what’s possible.