Cardiac Surgeon, MD, FETCS
AZORG Clinic, Aalst, Belgium
Co-director Heart Center Aalst
Director of Minimal Invasive Cardiac Surgery
ABOUT DR. FRANK VAN PRAET
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 co-director at the Heart Center Aalst, Belgium, and director of Minimal Invasive Cardiac Surgery, he and his team are continuously improving patient care.
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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.
In this technique, we operate through 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.
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.
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.
Aortic valves are operated through a limited upper sternotomy. Some patients present with multiple valve problems or coronary disease and heart failure. By close collaboration with our cardiologists in our "Heart Team", we discuss the best strategy for our patients. Hybrid approaches, combining transcatheter technologies and standard cardiac surgery, can sometimes offer the best of both worlds to our patients.
STAY INFORMED
Dr. Frank Van Praet was an invited faculty member and international expert at the 3rd Brazil MICS — International Symposium on Minimally Invasive and Robotic Cardiovascular Surgery, held in Curitiba from 28 to 31 August 2026.
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Dr. Frank Van Praet speaks in Benalmádena at the 20-year anniversary event of the cardiac surgery programme at Vithas Xanit Internacional.
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Dr. Frank Van Praet performs live surgery in Lisbon during the UMICS Academy course, showcasing totally endoscopic mitral valve repair.
Read more →HIGHLIGHT: HEART CENTER AALST (SINCE 2025 NAMED 'AZORG AALST') SET TREND WITH INTEGRATION AND HOLDING MODEL
“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 (the magazine for the specialist doctor in Belgium)
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HIGHLIGHT
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 AZORG Clinic, Aalst, Belgium, in the development of optimal state-of-the-art surgical solutions for their patients.
COURSES AND SEMINARS
We continue our effort since many years to train teams worldwide and share our knowledge and experience.
Find out moreThe Aalst Cardiac Academy is a unique training center guided by Dr. Frank Van Praet. In truly hands-on courses he wants to prepare colleagues to start their own mitral valve program soon.
