Kissimmee, FL — HCA Florida Osceola Hospital announced today that patients with coronary artery disease have expanded treatment options thanks to innovation in cardiac surgery. HCA Florida Osceola Hospital is one of the only healthcare facilities in the region now performing off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery, which allows surgeons to perform bypass surgery without stopping the heart and using a heart–lung machine.
Dr. Steven Hoff is a regional cardiovascular surgery medical director with the HCA Florida Cardiovascular Network, and one of the most experienced off-pump coronary artery bypass surgeons in the country. He notes that a recent landmark study showed patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery had significantly better outcomes as compared to on-pump bypass. High-risk patients including women, the elderly and patients with weak hearts especially benefit from off-pump bypass surgery.
“Off-pump bypass surgery allows us to reduce physiological stress while still achieving complete revascularization,” Dr. Hoff said. “For the right patient, it can make a meaningful difference in recovery and outcomes.”
Coronary artery disease occurs when the blood vessels supplying the heart become narrowed or blocked, often due to plaque buildup. Coronary artery bypass surgery restores blood flow to the heart muscle by bypassing these blockages using healthy blood vessels from other parts of the body. Traditional surgery typically requires cardiopulmonary bypass, during which the heart is stopped, and a machine maintains blood circulation. While effective, this approach can trigger a systemic stress response and is associated with increased risks for certain patients. Alternatively, off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery is an advanced surgical procedure performed by a highly trained surgeon on a beating heart, eliminating the need for cardiopulmonary bypass. By avoiding the heart–lung machine, the procedure may reduce complications such as kidney and lung injury, stroke, excessive bleeding, and the need for blood transfusions. Patients may also experience shorter hospital stays and faster overall recovery.
One Central Florida patient who recently benefited from the approach is Bill Delia, a 77-year-old Clermont resident, retired pastor, musician and author. Delia had experienced intermittent atrial fibrillation, an irregular heart rhythm, for more than a decade and previously underwent two procedures known as ablations. He underwent an elective off-pump quadruple bypass in October 2025, along with a left atrial appendage ligation, to reduce the risk of clot-related stroke associated with atrial fibrillation. He credits his positive outcome to the surgical team and the off-pump approach.
“I felt confident in Dr. Hoff’s innovative approach from the start. I had a better recovery than I ever expected,” Delia said. “My breathing is noticeably better, especially when I’m singing, and I’m already back to playing golf. I was very impressed with Dr. Hoff and the care I received at HCA Florida Osceola Hospital. Everyone was fantastic—I truly couldn’t have had a better experience.”
HCA Florida Healthcare is the state’s largest cardiovascular network. HCA Florida Healthcare specialists provide a full spectrum of heart, lung and vascular treatments and services, creating a personalized treatment plan for each patient that uses the latest technology and research. For more information about cardiovascular services in your area.