East Tennessee Cardiovascular Surgery Group

Covenant Health System

Doctors Office

East Tennessee Cardiovascular Surgery Group – Downtown Knoxville

Hours
  • Doctors Office

Our Locations

East Tennessee Cardiovascular Surgery Group – Oak Ridge

View Details
East Tennessee Cardiovascular Surgery Group - Oak Ridge

East Tennessee Cardiovascular Surgery Group – West Knoxville

View Details
East Tennessee Cardiovascular Surgery Group - West Knoxville

About East Tennessee Cardiovascular Surgery Group

At East Tennessee Cardiovascular Surgery Group, we specialize in the surgical treatment of conditions that affect the heart, esophagus, blood vessels, and lungs. With more than a century of combined medical experience, our expert healthcare team is ready to provide you with excellent care. We’re proud to be a member of Covenant Medical Group, the physician practice group of Covenant Health.

I truly care about every patient for whom I have the honor of caring, and I always advise them as if they’re my own family. – Dr. David Graham

Schedule an Appointment

Our team is ready to provide you with the right heart care when you need us. We’re accepting new patients. Please note, a referral is required from your doctor.

East Tennessee’s Trusted Choice for Heart and Vascular Care

Your heart is more than a muscle — it’s the lifebeat of your very being. If you experience unusual heart symptoms or a serious cardiac event, you need care you can trust, delivered in a compassionate environment by experienced medical professionals.

As East Tennessee’s leader in cardiac services, Covenant Health Heart Centers provide expert care to more than 107,000 heart patients throughout our region each year. Our network of nine hospitals and 25 cardiology practices offers the latest advances in cardiology, including cardiac imaging, interventional cardiology, cardiovascular surgery, and rehabilitation. 

Conditions Treated


Aneurysm

A balloon-like bulge in an artery. If a bulge stretches the artery too far, the vessel can burst. Aneurysms can form in arteries of all sizes, but the most serious are those that affect the large blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to other parts of the body (aorta), the heart’s pumping chamber (ventricle) and arteries that supply blood to the brain.

Angina

A type of chest discomfort caused by inadequate blood flow to the heart. It may be experienced as tightness, heavy pressure, squeezing pain or crushing chest pain. The most common cause of angina is coronary artery disease, which is narrowing or blockage of the arteries that supply blood to the heart.

Arrhythmias (Irregular Heartbeats)

Disorders of heart rate or rhythm that include tachycardia (faster-than-normal heartbeat), bradycardia (abnormally slow heartbeat that may cause palpitations, shortness of breath, fatigue and fainting), and atrial fibrillation (rapid, disorganized contractions of the heart’s upper chambers).

Atherosclerosis

The buildup of fatty deposits, or plaques, in the arteries. The narrowing and stiffening of arteries due to plaque buildup can interfere with blood flow, causing pain in oxygen-starved organs. If a plaque in a coronary artery ruptures, it can cause heart attack or stroke.

Cardiomyopathy

When the heart’s muscle tone is damaged, impairing its ability to pump blood. The most common type is dilated cardiomyopathy, in which one or more of the heart’s chambers is enlarged and its pumping becomes less forceful. Other types include hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, in which the walls of the heart muscle thicken, and restrictive cardiomyopathy, in which the heart muscle becomes more rigid.

Chest Pain

Discomfort or pain along the front of the body between the neck and upper abdomen. Chest pain may be a symptom of a heart attack or coronary artery disease, but it may also occur due to asthma, pneumonia, muscle strain, anxiety or digestive problems such as heartburn, ulcers or gallstones.

Congenital Heart Disease

Abnormalities in the heart’s structure and function that are caused by disordered or abnormal heart development before birth. While some abnormalities never cause any problems, many of these defects need to be followed carefully and require treatment such as medication or surgery. The most common congenital heart defect is a ventricular septal defect, a hole in the wall that separates the left and right ventricles of the heart.

Congestive Heart Failure

A condition in which the heart is weak and has lost some ability to pump blood. Symptoms include shortness of breath, persistent coughing or wheezing, fatigue and swelling in the feet, ankles, legs or abdomen.

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

Narrowing and hardening of the arteries that supply blood to the heart due to the buildup of plaque in the artery wall. CAD is the most common type of heart disease. The reduced blood flow to the heart can cause angina (chest pain) and heart attack and can contribute to heart failure and arrhythmias.

Heart Attack

Sudden blockage of the supply of blood and oxygen to a portion of the heart muscle. Treatments for heart attack work to open the blocked artery and restore blood flow as quickly as possible to limit damage to the heart muscle.

Heart Murmur

A rasping, whooshing or blowing sound produced by turbulent blood flow through the heart valves or near the heart. Murmurs are most often caused by defective heart valves.

High Cholesterol

A total cholesterol level above 240 is considered high cholesterol. Total cholesterol between 200 and 239 is considered borderline high. High cholesterol increases your risk of heart disease. Diet and medication can bring down cholesterol levels and reduce heart disease risk.

Hypertension, High Blood Pressure

Normal blood pressure is below 120/80. Blood pressure of 120 to 139 systolic (the top number in a reading) or 80 to 89 diastolic (the bottom number) is considered prehypertension. Blood pressure above 139 systolic or above 89 diastolic is considered high blood pressure. High blood pressure increases the risk of heart attack, stroke and kidney disease.

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)

Atherosclerosis, or narrowing or blockage of arteries due to the buildup of fatty deposits, affecting the arteries that supply blood to the legs and feet.

Valvular Heart Disease

Any of the heart’s four valves (aortic, mitral, pulmonary, tricuspid) become damaged or diseased, preventing proper blood flow through the heart chambers and potentially leading to serious complications.

Cardiology Procedures & Treatments

Electrophysiology

Electrophysiology focuses on diagnosing and treating heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmias) by studying the heart’s electrical activity. Electrophysiology procedures help pinpoint irregular electrical signals in the heart and restore normal rhythm through interventions. Common examples include:

 

  • Electrocardiogram (EKG/ECG)
  • EP Study (Physicians perform this procedure at Parkwest Medical Center)
  • Catheter Ablation (Physicians perform this procedure at Parkwest Medical Center)
  • Holter Monitoring
  • Event Monitoring/Recording
  • Pacemaker Implantation
Learn more about electrophysiology

Interventional Cardiology

Interventional cardiology involves minimally invasive procedures using catheters to diagnose and treat heart and blood vessel conditions without open-heart surgery. These techniques are often used to restore blood flow, repair structural issues or treat valve disorders. Interventional cardiology procedures are performed at Parkwest Medical Center and include:

 

  • Interventional Cardiac Stenting
  • MitraClip Procedures
  • Patent Foramen Ovale Closure (PFO)
  • Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI)
  • Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)
Learn more about interventional cardiology

Vascular Diagnostics and Interventions

Vascular diagnostics involves tests and treatments to evaluate and address diseases affecting blood vessels, including arteries, veins and lymphatics. These techniques help diagnose conditions like blockages, aneurysms or varicose veins and restore healthy circulation. Vascular diagnostics and procedures are performed at Parkwest Medical Center and include:

 

  • Angiography
  • Atherectomy
  • Cardiac Catheterization
  • Thrombectomy
  • Vascular Ultrasound (Duplex or Doppler Studies)
Learn more about vascular services

Cardiothoracic Surgery

Our cardiothoracic surgeons specialize in diagnosing and treating conditions affecting the lungs, esophagus, chest wall and diaphragm. Using both advanced and minimally invasive surgical techniques, we provide care for both benign and complex thoracic conditions to improve breathing, treat cancer, and enhance quality of life. Cardiothoracic diagnostics and procedures are performed at Parkwest Medical Center and include:

 

  • Arrhythmia and Electrical Correction Surgeries
  • Coronary Artery Surgeries
  • Esophageal and Mediastinal Surgeries
  • Lung and Airway Surgeries
  • Valve Repair and Replacement Surgeries
Learn more about thoracic surgical procedures

Cardiac Surgery

Aortic Surgery
Arrhythmia Surgery
Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG)
Mitral Valve Repair
Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (OPCAB)
Ross Procedure
Transmyocardial Laser Revascularization (TMR / TMLR)

Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery

Endoscopic Vein Harvesting (EVH)
Endovascular Surgery
Minimally Invasive Direct Coronary Artery Bypass (MIDCAB)
Minimally Invasive Valve Repair and Replacement
Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass (OPCAB)
Transmyocardial Laser Revascularization (TMR / TMLR)

Thoracic Surgery

Bronchoscopy
Lung Cancer and Surgery
Mediastinoscopy

Robotic Thoracic Surgery

Conditions Treated
Esophageal Cyst Removal
Esophagectomy
Diaphragm Plication
Lung Resections
Mediastinal Mass Removal

Patient Information


Patient Forms

Prepare for your visit by filling out these forms ahead of your appointment and bring them with you. This will help us provide you with an efficient visit. Thank you!

Patient Information Form
download
Patient Registration Agreement
download
Authorization to Release Health Information
download
Notice of Privacy Practices
download
Visit Reminders

We ask that you please arrive at least 30 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment. Please bring the following items with you to your visit:

  • Your current health insurance information

  • Your current Photo ID

  • Any medications you are currently taking in their original containers or in a list with dosages and times

Please note: In order to provide efficient care for all of our patients, you may be asked to reschedule your appointment if you do not arrive at least 30 minutes early.

Prescription Refills

It’s very important that you request your prescription refills during normal business hours before 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Prescriptions will not be refilled on weekends or holidays.

 

Go to MyCovenantHealth

Related Articles


How to Improve Your Heart Health

Heart disease and stroke claim more lives annually than all forms of cancer and chronic lower respiratory disease combined. Knowledge is power, so take a moment to educate yourself and get ready to take your heart health to the next level.

Tips For a Heart Healthy Diet

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. By making slight adjustments to our diet and exercise routine, we can do ourselves a favor and take care of our heart health.

Is Intermittent Fasting Bad for Your Heart Health?

Intermittent fasting (IF) has gained popularity in recent years as a weight-loss solution. However, a recent study suggests that intermittent fasting could negatively affect cardiovascular risks. What are the facts?

Subscribe to the Covenant Health Newsletter

Covenant Health periodically sends news and updates for a healthier you. Join our email list for timely health information and tips. Thank you to all the communities we serve for letting us care for you in your moments of need.