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Dr. S. Russell Vester, MD

(Dr. Samuel Russell Vester, M.D.)

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Specializes in: Cardiac Surgery and Thoracic Surgery

University of Cincinnati College of Medicine (1983)

Professional interests include: thoracic (chest) surgery procedures, aortic disease, cardiomyopathy, and more.

231 Albert Sabin Way
Cincinnati, OH 45267

(513) 584-4424

Dr. S. Russell Vester, MD is a cardiac surgeon in Cincinnati, OH specializing in cardiac surgery and thoracic surgery. He graduated from University of Cincinnati College of Medicine in 1983 and has 42 years of experience. Dr. S. Russell Vester, MD is affiliated with UC Health, The Christ Hospital Health Network, MERCY HEALTH PHYSICIANS CINCINNATI SPECIALTY CARE LLC and UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI PHYSICIANS COMPANY LLC.

Office Locations

Address:

222 Piedmont Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45219

Address:

231 Albert Sabin Way
Cincinnati, OH 45267

Address:

3188 Bellevue Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45219

Address:

3200 Burnett Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45229

Some issues Dr. S. Russell Vester, MD can help you with:

Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common type of heart disease. It happens when the blood vessels carrying blood to the heart, called coronary arteries, narrow and harden. This occurs when cholesterol, a type of fat found in the blood, builds up to form plaque, which sticks to the inner walls of the arteries. As plaque accumulates, less blood can flow through the arteries, which may lead to the following:

Angina, which is chest pain that occurs when the heart does not receive enough blood flow.
Heart attack, which happens if the arteries leading to the heart are completely blocked.
Arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat, which can develop if the heart does not have enough blood supply.
Heart failure, which may occur if a heart attack damages the heart and it becomes too weak to pump enough blood to the rest of the body.

Certain factors may increase risk for the disease, like smoking, lack of exercise, being overweight, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes. CAD tends to develop over decades, so it can go undetected until it has become quite severe. A diagnosis may be established using such tests as:

Electrocardiogram (ECG), which records the heart's electrical activity over a period of time. ECGs can detect whether there is enough blood flow to the heart or if a heart attack has occurred.
Echocardiogram (echo), which creates images of the heart using sound waves. Echos can show whether the heart is able to pump blood normally.
Stress tests, where an ECG or echo is combined with exercise, like riding a stationary bike or walking on a treadmill. This test is done to find out if the heart can function properly while performing a strenuous activity.

Treatments for the disease include medications such as vasodilators, like nitroglycerin, which dilates (widens) the coronary arteries. CAD may also be treated by a procedure called angioplasty with stent placement, where a balloon is inflated inside a diseased artery to flatten the plaque deposits against the artery walls, creating more room for blood to flow.

In some severe cases of the disease, multiple arteries may be blocked, and an open heart surgery called coronary artery bypass surgery may be necessary. This operation transplants a vessel from another part of the body to form a graft that goes past the narrowed arteries, thus enabling blood to flow around those arteries.

Heart Problems

The heart is one of the most important organs in the body. This smooth muscle expands and contracts rhythmically an entire lifetime, pumping blood to the lungs and then to every other cell in the body. When heart problems occur, it becomes difficult for the body to get the nutrients and oxygen it needs via the blood. So while there are a variety of illnesses and disorders that affect the heart, most of them cause weakness, exhaustion and shortness of breath. The most common heart conditions include heart disease, angina, arrhythmia, and valve disorders.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women. This includes coronary artery disease, heart attacks, congestive heart failure, and congenital heart disease. Some conditions, such as genetics, cannot be controlled. But there are many other things one can do to lower their risk for heart disease. Controlling high blood pressure and cholesterol levels, reducing or stopping smoking, exercising more and losing weight if needed, and eating a diet low in sodium can all protect the heart.

Angina is a squeezing type of chest pain that happens when the muscles around the heart don't get enough oxygen. It can be regular or infrequent. Usually, angina is caused by coronary heart disease. However, not all chest pain is angina. Chest pain can also be caused by a lung infection or panic attack, for example, so it is important to have any sudden pain checked.

Arrhythmia is the word for when the heart beats too fast, too slow, or irregularly with skipped beats. It can feel frightening, and depending on the type it can be dangerous, but in most cases arrhythmia is not serious and can be treated. It is very common, especially in older adults.

Heart valve problems can happen in any one of the the heart's four valves that keep blood flowing where it needs to go. Babies can be born with problems in their heart valves, or valves can be damaged by infections. The valves can stiffen and become less mobile, or they can stop closing properly and 'leak' when the heart beats. Valve problems can usually be repaired surgically.

In The News

“Eckert is part of a multidisciplinary TAVR team that includes The Heart Institute cardiologist Dr. Jonathan Rapp and Mercy Health cardiovascular and thoracic surgeons doctors William Cook and...”—"Butler County hospital reaches milestone in life-enhancing heart procedure", Journal-News, December 2019

bypass surgery	19
cardiac procedures	34
doctor visit	36
hospital care	14
inpatient care	14
open surgery	38
thoracic (chest) surgery procedures	38

**Gender**
Male	59
Female	50

**Age**
From 65 to 74	42
From 75 to 84	35
85 and over	17
Less than 65	15

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	74
Stroke	12
Ischemic Heart Disease	75
Depression	30
Chronic Kidney Disease	44
Asthma	14
Osteoperosis	10
Atrial Fibrilation	22
Heart Failure	49
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	28
Diabetes	37
Dementia	13
Cancer	23

bypass surgery	28
cardiac procedures	76
doctor visit	37
hospital care	12
inpatient care	12
open surgery	56
thoracic (chest) surgery procedures	56

**Gender**
Male	67
Female	43

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	90
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	48
From 75 to 84	29
85 and over	14
Less than 65	19

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	12
Ischemic Heart Disease	75
Depression	36
Chronic Kidney Disease	50
Asthma	13
Osteoperosis	12
Atrial Fibrilation	21
Heart Failure	50
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	42
Diabetes	53
Dementia	18
Cancer	23

bypass surgery	26
cardiac procedures	48
doctor visit	50
open surgery	52
thoracic (chest) surgery procedures	52

**Gender**
Male	114
Female	112

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	196
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	88
From 75 to 84	78
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	12
Ischemic Heart Disease	73
Depression	25
Chronic Kidney Disease	48
Asthma	23
Osteoperosis	11
Atrial Fibrilation	25
Heart Failure	57
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	31
Diabetes	41
Dementia	0
Cancer	20

bypass surgery	25
cardiac procedures	76
doctor visit	45
hospital care	17
inpatient care	17
minimally invasive procedures	14
open surgery	50
thoracic (chest) surgery procedures	50
vascular procedures	14

**Gender**
Male	82
Female	55

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	110
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	62
From 75 to 84	39
85 and over	23
Less than 65	13

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	12
Ischemic Heart Disease	75
Depression	24
Chronic Kidney Disease	55
Asthma	36
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	26
Heart Failure	53
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	29
Diabetes	39
Dementia	13
Cancer	21

bypass surgery	26
cardiac procedures	82
doctor visit	53
minimally invasive procedures	16
open surgery	52
thoracic (chest) surgery procedures	52
vascular procedures	16

**Gender**
Male	70
Female	53

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	104
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	50
From 75 to 84	33
85 and over	25
Less than 65	15

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	71
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	74
Depression	21
Chronic Kidney Disease	52
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	28
Heart Failure	58
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	24
Diabetes	41
Dementia	13
Cancer	28

bypass surgery	20
cardiac procedures	68
doctor visit	19
minimally invasive procedures	15
open surgery	40
thoracic (chest) surgery procedures	40
vascular procedures	15

**Gender**
Male	49
Female	49

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	79
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	44
From 75 to 84	23
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	75
Depression	32
Chronic Kidney Disease	60
Asthma	11
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	19
Heart Failure	61
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	36
Diabetes	47
Dementia	0
Cancer	27

bypass surgery	21
cardiac procedures	84
doctor visit	47
minimally invasive procedures	22
open surgery	42
thoracic (chest) surgery procedures	42
vascular procedures	22

**Gender**
Male	68
Female	47

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	99
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	43
From 75 to 84	39
85 and over	18
Less than 65	15

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	10
Ischemic Heart Disease	75
Depression	24
Chronic Kidney Disease	55
Asthma	10
Osteoperosis	12
Atrial Fibrilation	24
Heart Failure	57
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	31
Diabetes	39
Dementia	10
Cancer	23

bypass surgery	19
cardiac procedures	56
doctor visit	15
minimally invasive procedures	10
open surgery	38
thoracic (chest) surgery procedures	38
vascular procedures	10

**Gender**
Male	45
Female	35

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	65
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	38
From 75 to 84	27
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	19
Ischemic Heart Disease	75
Depression	29
Chronic Kidney Disease	54
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	14
Atrial Fibrilation	29
Heart Failure	69
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	36
Diabetes	48
Dementia	16
Cancer	25

bypass surgery	35
cardiac procedures	134
doctor visit	57
hospital care	13
inpatient care	13
minimally invasive procedures	33
open surgery	70
thoracic (chest) surgery procedures	70
vascular procedures	33

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2013 - 2021

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. S. Russell Vester, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. S. Russell Vester, MD treated as a cardiac surgeon in Cincinnati, OH were cardiac procedures, thoracic (chest) surgery procedures, open surgery and bypass surgery.

bypass surgery	24
cardiac procedures	74
doctor visit	43
hospital care	14
inpatient care	14
minimally invasive procedures	18
open surgery	48
thoracic (chest) surgery procedures	48
vascular procedures	18

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2013 - 2021

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. S. Russell Vester, MD.

**Gender**
Female	44
Male	55

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	0
Asian / Pacific Islander	0
Non-Hispanic White	74
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Hispanic	0
Other	0

**Age**
85 and over	9
75 to 84	30
Less than 65	7
65 to 74	41

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. S. Russell Vester, MD From 2013 - 2021

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. S. Russell Vester, MD treated were high cholesterol, hypertension, ischemic heart disease and heart failure.

Hypertension	60
High Cholesterol	59
Stroke	7
Ischemic Heart Disease	59
Depression	22
Chronic Kidney Disease	41
Asthma	10
Osteoporosis	6
Heart Failure	45
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	25
Diabetes	34
Atrial Fibrillation	19
Cancer	19
Dementia	8

Education & Training

Dr. S. Russell Vester, MD graduated from University of Cincinnati College of Medicine in 1983. He is certified by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery (Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery) and has a state license in Kentucky.

Medical School: University of Cincinnati College of Medicine (1983)

Board Certification: American Board of Thoracic Surgery (Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery)

Licensed In: Kentucky

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. S. Russell Vester, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

UC Health

The Christ Hospital Health Network

MERCY HEALTH PHYSICIANS CINCINNATI SPECIALTY CARE LLC

UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI PHYSICIANS COMPANY LLC

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General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. S. Russell Vester, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

**Payments by Company**
Medtronic Vascular, Inc.	$4,156 Mosaic $689	Avalus $576	CoreValve Evolut $174	Simulus $164	Hancock $92	Other $2,460
Edwards Lifesciences Corporation	$4,098 Transcatheter Heart Valves $1,504	Edwards SAPIEN 3 Ultra Transcatheter Heart Valve $1,191	Edwards SAPIEN 3 Transcatheter Heart Valve $766	Pericardial Heart Valves $181	EDWARDS SAPIEN 3 TRANSCATHETER HEART VALVE (THV) $158	Other $298
AtriCure, Inc.	$868 Cardiovascular $212	AtriCure AtriClip LAA Exclusion $204	ATRICURE CRYOSURGICAL SYSTEM $187	ATRICURE SYNERGY ABLATION SYSTEM $174	SYNERGY ABLATION SYSTEM $28	Other $64
Medtronic, Inc.	$647 Mosaic $554	Avalus $72	Simulus $21
CorMatrix Cardiovascular Inc.	$316 ECM Patch $316
Other	$2,446 Procedural Solutions $301	LifeVest $194	OFIRMEV $188	Impella $176	CARDIOHELP $110	Other $1,477

**Types of Payments**
Food and Beverage	$9,439
Travel and Lodging	$3,082
Education	$11

Biography

Dr. S. Vester is a specialist in cardiac surgery and thoracic surgery. He studied medicine at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. Clinical interests for Dr. Vester include heart failure, aortic aneurysm, and cardiomyopathy. Dr. Vester is affiliated with UC Health and The Christ Hospital Health Network.