Lynn Heart & Vascular Institute, a part of Baptist Health South Florida

At 76 years old, John Zells was living an active life filled with golf, travel and family time when he was unexpectedly diagnosed with severe coronary artery disease. Completely asymptomatic, he was shocked to learn he had a 90+ percent blockage in his left anterior descending (LAD) artery — often called the “widow maker.” Because of the blockage’s location, stenting was not an option, and traditional open-heart surgery would have meant a long, painful recovery and up to a year away from golf — something he considered a major loss to his quality of life.

Video available online at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWZo2NpsR_A

After researching his options, Mr. Zells discovered minimally invasive coronary artery bypass surgery and was referred to Joseph McGinn III, M.D., at Lynn Heart & Vascular Institute at Boca Raton Regional Hospital. Through a small incision between the ribs — without breaking the breastbone — Dr. McGinn successfully performed the bypass procedure. Mr. Zells was walking the next day, home after four nights and back on the golf course just three weeks later. Today, he has resumed traveling the world and playing golf regularly, grateful for the innovative care and team-based approach he received at Baptist Health.

Stephen Smith, a 62-year-old civil engineer from Boca Raton, was shocked to learn during his annual physical that he had a 100-percent blockage in his left anterior descending (LAD) artery — a life-threatening condition often referred to as the “widow maker.” Completely asymptomatic, he had no warning signs and felt perfectly healthy.

Video available online at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgWfGDGYGrw

After evaluation by his care team, it was determined that a stent was not the best option. Instead, he was referred to Bradley Taylor, M.D., at Lynn Heart & Vascular Institute for a minimally invasive robotic-assisted coronary artery bypass procedure. Using advanced robotic technology and a small incision between the ribs, without dividing the breastbone, Dr. Taylor successfully restored blood flow to Mr. Smith’s heart. Just days after surgery, he was walking two to three miles per day and was discharged home within three to four days. Within a week, he felt back to normal and quickly returned to work and daily activities.

Today, Mr. Smith is grateful for the early detection, expert surgical care and rapid recovery that allowed him to return to his busy life and growing family with confidence.

When 65-year-old Edgar Jones walked into the emergency room at Baptist Health and managed to say only “STEMI” before collapsing, he knew he was experiencing a severe heart attack.

After being stabilized, he was transferred to Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, where imaging revealed he required a triple bypass. Having witnessed family members endure traditional open-heart surgery, Mr. Jones was terrified of the pain and long recovery associated with having his chest opened. Instead, he became a candidate for minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting (MICS CABG), performed by Joseph McGinn III, M.D., using the internationally renowned McGinn Technique.

The procedure was completed through a small incision between the ribs — without breaking bones or stopping the heart. Mr. Jones went home just four days later and says his recovery was “amazing,” feeling back to normal within a week. Today, he has returned to fishing, boating, landscaping and home improvement projects, saying he feels better than he has in a decade and is deeply grateful for the care he received at Baptist Health.