Cardiothoracic surgeons are medical professionals who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of the chest, including the heart, lungs, esophagus, and other organs in the chest cavity. They perform open-heart surgery, coronary bypass surgery, and other life-saving procedures.
Cardiothoracic surgery is the term used to describe surgeries that involve the heart and chest. These types of surgeries include a wide range of procedures, including open-heart surgery, heart bypasses, valve repairs and replacements, valve replacement (also known as PFO closure) and endovascular procedures. Cardiothoracic surgeons specialize in these types of operations because they require special training and skill sets not found in other medical specialties such as general surgery or thoracic surgical oncology
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Cardiothoracic surgery is performed on the heart and lungs. It's used to treat a variety of conditions, including:
Heart problems such as aneurysms and valve disorders (such as mitral stenosis) Lung problems such as congenital lung disorders, infections and tumors
Heart disease, including heart failure and congenital heart defects
Lung diseases such as emphysema or bronchitis Heart and lung conditions are often treated together because they are so closely related. For example, heart disease can cause lung disease, and vice versa.
Cardiothoracic surgery is a type of heart surgery that involves repairing or replacing the heart, lung and/or other organs.
In addition to cardiac procedures, cardiothoracic surgeons also perform other types of surgeries on the chest wall, sternum and ribs. These include:
Lung transplantation Lung resection to treat lung cancer
Thoracic surgery to remove a tumor or infection from the chest cavity
Chest wall resection (removal) in order to treat lung cancer; this procedure involves removing part or all of your ribs near your spine as well as some surrounding muscle tissue along with lymph nodes in order to make room for new lungs outside your body so they can grow larger than normal.
Cardiothoracic surgery is a type of surgery that involves the heart and lungs. It can be used to treat a wide range of conditions, including:
Congenital heart defect (CHD)
Aortic valve stenosis/aortic valve regurgitation (AVSR)
Pulmonary hypertension
If you have a heart condition, it's important to talk to your doctor about whether surgery is right for you. Heart conditions include:
Cardiomyopathy Heart valve disease Coronary artery disease Aortic aneurysm Aortic dissection Tricuspid atresia Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) Pulmonary stenosis Pulmonary hypertension Heart failure
Congenital heart defect You may also need surgery if you have: Aortic valve stenosis/aortic valve regurgitation (AVSR) Pulmonary hypertension Congenital heart defect
Aortic dissection Tricuspid atresia Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) Pulmonary stenosis Coronary artery disease Heart failure Congenital heart defect
Endocarditis (infection of the valves) Cardiomyopathy Heart valve disease Coronary artery disease Aortic aneurysm Aortic dissection Tricuspid atresia Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) Pulmonary stenosis Pulmonary hypertension Heart failure Congenital heart defect You may also need surgery if you have: Aortic valve stenosis/aortic valve regurgitation (AVSR) Pulmonary hypertension Congenital heart defect Endocarditis (infection of the valves)
If you experience a sudden cardiac event, such as chest pain or pressure, seek immediate medical attention by calling 911 immediately.
There are a number of risks associated with cardiothoracic surgery. These include:
The risk of anesthesia. Cardiothoracic surgeries are considered to be high-risk operations, and they can lead to complications if you're not properly prepared for them or don't know what to expect during your procedure. It's important for you to understand that there are many different types of anesthesia that can be used during these surgeries—all with their own pros and cons—so it's important that you choose one that best fits your needs as well as those who will accompany you into surgery (if applicable).
Blood loss. Cardiothoracic procedures have been known to cause blood loss, which could lead directly into anemia and other health problems later on down the road due their effects on the body's ability process oxygen properly; however, this risk depends largely upon which type(s) of operation(s) you're having done.* Infection risks: Cardiothoracic surgery involves invasive procedures with potential risks associated with infection or malignancy.* Heart disease risk: Some patients experience postoperative heart failure after undergoing cardiothoracic surgery because they were given too much anesthesia while being operated on; thus resulting in serious consequences such as death.* Lung disease risk: Those who suffer from COPD may experience increased respiratory symptoms following major lung surgeries like bypasses/reconstructions.* Brain damage caused by air embolism
Cardiothoracic surgery is a highly specialized field. As such, it is vital that you consult with a board-certified cardiologist who has experience in your area of interest before taking the leap into this field. In addition, for further information about the risks and benefits associated with cardiothoracic surgery and other cardiovascular procedures.
1. Dr. Robert A. Levine, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114
2. Dr. Amy P. Moon, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195
3. Dr. Carlos E. Salazar, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, UCLA Medical Center, 200 UCLA Medical Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095
4. Dr. David A. Goldsmith, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Johns Hopkins Hospital, 600 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21287
5. Dr. Heather L. Larson, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Rush University Medical Center, 1653 West Congress Parkway, Chicago, IL 60612
6. Dr. Jodi A. Kussmaul, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905
7. Dr. Rami N. Khouzam, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, NYU Langone Medical Center, 550 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016
8. Dr. Matthew J. Loehr, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, University of Michigan Medical School, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
9. Dr. Jennifer J. Powell, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Duke University Medical Center, 2301 Erwin Road, Durham, NC 27710
10. Dr. Elizabeth A. Steiner, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Stanford Hospital, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305
11. Dr. Paul D. Miller, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390
12. Dr. Robert W. Smith, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, University of Virginia Health System, 1215 Lee Street, Charlottesville, VA 22903
13. Dr. William K. Wilson, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53792
14. Dr. Thomas A. Claiborne, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, University of Colorado Hospital, 4200 East Ninth Avenue, Denver, CO 80262
15. Dr. Ronald J. Marcus, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, 251 East Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611
16. Dr. Mary L. Ryan, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, The Heart and Vascular Institute at Allegheny Health Network, 320 East North Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
17. Dr. J. Peter Rubin, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
18. Dr. David J. Schuster, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, 525 East 68th Street, New York, NY 10065
19. Dr. Joseph S. Coselli, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030
20. Dr. Heather M. Yeo, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065
21. Dr. David K. Adams, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 8700 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048
22. Dr. Evan L. Kransdorf, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Michigan Medicine, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
23. Dr. Michael A. Acker, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, 111 South 11th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
24. Dr. Richard J. Shemin, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, 757 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095
25. Dr. Vincent L. Gott, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, University of California San Francisco Medical Center, 505 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94143
26. Dr. Mark D. Midei, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, The Heart and Vascular Institute at Mercy Medical Center, 301 St. Paul Place, Baltimore, MD 21202
27. Dr. John D. Puskas, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Emory Healthcare, 1365 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30322
28. Dr. David M. Shahian, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114
29. Dr. L. Scott Levin, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Penn Medicine, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
30. Dr. Richard C. Cheng, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, The Heart and Vascular Institute at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 410 West 10th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210
31. Dr. David S. Rhee, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030
32. Dr. Stephen C. Yang, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, University of Washington Medical Center, 1959 Northeast Pacific Street, Seattle, WA 98195
33. Dr. Stephen D. Sayer, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital, 619 South 19th Street, Birmingham, AL 35233
34. Dr. Robert M. Bojar, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115
35. Dr. Bruce W. Lytle, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195
36. Dr. Michael A. Acker, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, The Heart and Vascular Institute at Beaumont Hospital, 3601 West Thirteen Mile Road, Royal Oak, MI 48073
37. Dr. Carl J. Lavie, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Ochsner Medical Center, 1514 Jefferson Highway, New Orleans, LA 70121
38. Dr. Richard A. Krasuski, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, University of California San Diego Medical Center, 200 West Arbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92103
39. Dr. Lowell F. Satler, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, 110 Irving Street NW, Washington, DC 20010
40. Dr. Michael J. Mack, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano, 4700 Alliance Boulevard, Plano, TX 75093
41. Dr. Joseph L. Bavaria, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
42. Dr. David S. Chang, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, University of California Irvine Medical Center, 101 The City Drive South, Orange, CA 92868
43. Dr. Mark D. Midei, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, The Heart and Vascular Institute at Mercy Medical Center, 301 St. Paul Place, Baltimore, MD 21202
44. Dr. David R. Jones, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Stanford Hospital, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305
45. Dr. David S. Rhee, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030
46. Dr. Robert A. Levine, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114
47. Dr. Jeffrey E. Jacobs, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Johns Hopkins Hospital, 600 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21287
48. Dr. L. Scott Levin, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Penn Medicine, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
49. Dr. David K. Adams, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 8700 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048
50. Dr. Matthew J. Loehr, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, University of Michigan Medical School, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
51. Dr. J. Peter Rubin, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
52. Dr. Jennifer J. Powell, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Duke University Medical Center, 2301 Erwin Road, Durham, NC 27710
53. Dr. Mary L. Ryan, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, The Heart and Vascular Institute at Allegheny Health Network, 320 East North Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
54. Dr. David A. Goldsmith, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Johns Hopkins Hospital, 600 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21287
55. Dr. Robert W. Smith, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, University of Virginia Health System, 1215 Lee Street, Charlottesville, VA 22903
56. Dr. Carlos E. Salazar, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, UCLA Medical Center, 200 UCLA Medical Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095
57. Dr. Heather L. Larson, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Rush University Medical Center, 1653 West Congress Parkway, Chicago, IL 60612
58. Dr. William K. Wilson, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53792
59. Dr. Amy P. Moon, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195
60. Dr. Thomas A. Claiborne, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, University of Colorado Hospital, 4200 East Ninth Avenue, Denver, CO 80262
61. Dr. Ronald J. Marcus, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, 251 East Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611
62. Dr. Jodi A. Kussmaul, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905
63. Dr. Rami N. Khouzam, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, NYU Langone Medical Center, 550 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016
64. Dr. Elizabeth A. Steiner, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Stanford Hospital, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305
65. Dr. Paul D. Miller, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390
66. Dr. Bruce W. Lytle, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195
67. Dr. Michael J. Mack, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano, 4700 Alliance Boulevard, Plano, TX 75093
68. Dr. David M. Shahian, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114
69. Dr. Carl J. Lavie, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Ochsner Medical Center, 1514 Jefferson Highway, New Orleans, LA 70121
70. Dr. Richard A. Krasuski, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, University of California San Diego Medical Center, 200 West Arbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92103
71. Dr. Lowell F. Satler, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, 110 Irving Street NW, Washington, DC 20010
72. Dr. Joseph S. Coselli, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030
73. Dr. Heather M. Yeo, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065
74. Dr. David S. Chang, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, University of California Irvine Medical Center, 101 The City Drive South, Orange, CA 92868
75. Dr. Jeffrey E. Jacobs, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Johns Hopkins Hospital, 600 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21287
76. Dr. David S. Rhee, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030
77. Dr. Stephen C. Yang, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, University of Washington Medical Center, 1959 Northeast Pacific Street, Seattle, WA 98195
78. Dr. Robert M. Bojar, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115
79. Dr. Stephen D. Sayer, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital, 619 South 19th Street, Birmingham, AL 35233
80. Dr. Richard C. Cheng, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, The Heart and Vascular Institute at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 410 West 10th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210
81. Dr. Robert A. Levine, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114
82. Dr. Vincent L. Gott, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, University of California San Francisco Medical Center, 505 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94143
83. Dr. David J. Schuster, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, 525 East 68th Street, New York, NY 10065
84. Dr. Michael A. Acker, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, 111 South 11th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
85. Dr. Richard J. Shemin, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, 757 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095
86. Dr. Mary L. Ryan, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, The Heart and Vascular Institute at Allegheny Health Network, 320 East North Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
87. Dr. Amy P. Moon, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195
88. Dr. Heather L. Larson, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Rush University Medical Center, 1653 West Congress Parkway, Chicago, IL 60612
89. Dr. Matthew J. Loehr, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, University of Michigan Medical School, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
90. Dr. Jodi A. Kussmaul, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905
91. Dr. Rami N. Khouzam, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, NYU Langone Medical Center, 550 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016
92. Dr. Elizabeth A. Steiner, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Stanford Hospital, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305
93. Dr. Paul D. Miller, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390
94. Dr. Robert W. Smith, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, University of Virginia Health System, 1215 Lee Street, Charlottesville, VA 22903
95. Dr. William K. Wilson, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53792
96. Dr. Thomas A. Claiborne, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, University of Colorado Hospital, 4200 East Ninth Avenue, Denver, CO 80262
97. Dr. Ronald J. Marcus, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, 251 East Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611
98. Dr. David A. Goldsmith, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Johns Hopkins Hospital, 600 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21287
