ABOUT DR. FRANK VAN PRAET
On the leading edge of cardiac surgery
and human patient care.
With more than 30 years of experience, Dr. Frank Van Praet, MD, FETCS, is one of the leading specialists in adult cardiac surgery. He was a pioneer since the very beginning in minimally invasive and robotically assisted cardiac surgery. He has inspired and trained many teams and younger surgeons worldwide. As chair of cardiac surgery and co-director at the Cardiovascular Center OLV Aalst, Belgium, he and his team are continuously improving patient care.
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What I do
As a surgeon at the AZORG Clinic Aalst, Belgium, I am committed to offer an optimal state-of-the-art surgical solution for our patients. Their well-being is my greatest professional satisfaction. We invest in continuously improving our surgical strategies. Minimally invasive cardiac surgery is one of my passions.
ENDOSCOPIC MITRAL VALVE SURGERY
In this technique, we operate trough a minimal opening in the right side of the chest helped by 3D Endoscopy. By avoiding to fully open the chest, we offer the patient the best outcome. In our experienced hands, this approach offers the patient a safer and better surgical result. There is a very high probability that valves can be repaired. The esthetical advantage is obvious.
ROBOTICALLY ASSISTED CARDIAC SURGERY
Since more than 20 years, we have been pioneering the use of a robot for coronary bypass surgery. With the help of the robot, the left mammary artery is used as an optimal conduit for revascularisation. This surgery is performed through key-hole surgery in the left chest.
BEATING HEART CORONARY BYPASS SURGERY
I am convinced that, if performed well, coronary surgery without the use of the heart-lung machine on the beating heart offers better results. More than 90% of my CABG patients can benefit from this experience.
COMPLEX VALVE SURGERY & HEART FAILURE
Aortic valves are operated through a limited upper sternotomy. Some patients present with multiple valve problems
or coronary disease and heartfailure. By close collaboration with our cardiologists in our “Heart Team”, we discuss the best strategy for our patients. Hybrid approaches, combining transcathether technologies and standard cardiac surgery, can sometimes offer the best of both worlds to our patients.
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HIGHLIGHT: CARDIAC CENTER OLV AALST (since 2025 named ‘AZORG AALST’) SET TREND WITH INTEGRATION AND HOLDING MODEL
Cardiac surgeons and cardiologists join forces to make the difference in patient care
“We should not confront the patient with the world of cardiologists and cardio surgeons: most people do not even know the difference between the two disciplines”, say cardio surgeon Frank Van Praet and cardiologist Eric Wyffels. “That is why we are now tackling all cardiac pathology together. Without energy loss in competition.”
Source: De Specialist (ENG: “the specialist”, the magazine for the specialist doctor in Belgium)
HIGHLIGHT
VIDEO Minimal Invasive Sugery
During the Week of the Heart a dutch documentary was made, stretching the importance of prevention and screening. It highlights once more the significant role of the OLV Clinic Aalst, Belgium, in the development of optimal state-of-the-art surgical solutions for their patients.
This video broadcast Dr. Frank Van Praet during a succesfull medical intervention.
COURSES AND SEMINARS
Aalst Cardiac Academy
We continue our effort since many years to train teams worldwide and share our knowledge and experience.
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Latest news
Event September: Dr. Van Praet about ‘the present and future of robotic surgery’ at the 6th Annual Conference and Workshop of the Society of Minimally Invasive Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeons of India (SMICTSI)
As one of the pioneers in the field, Dr. Van Praet will be present at the 6th Annual Conference and Workshop of the Society of Minimally Invasive Cardiovascular and Thoracic[…]
Read moreA first in Belgium: AtriClip PRO2 (AtriCure)
Cardiac surgeon Dr. Van Praet Frank of the Cardiovascular Center OLV Aalst performs a first in Belgium: For the first time in Belgium, the atrial appendage of a patient with[…]
Read moreCARDIAC CENTER OLV AALST SET TREND WITH INTEGRATION AND HOLDING MODEL
Cardiac surgeons and cardiologists join forces to make the difference in patient care We should not confront the patient with the world of cardiologists and cardio surgeons: most people do[…]
Read more
