» Cardiothoracic Surgery

What is Cardiothoracic Surgery?

Cardiothoracic Surgery treats diseases of the heart, lungs, esophagus, and other organs inside the chest; this may also include the bony structures and tissues that form the chest cavity.

One of the most common diseases treated by a cardiothoracic surgeon is coronary artery disease, but they also could treat:

Abnormal enlargement or aneurysms of large arteries in the chest
Atrial fibrillation
Blockages of the arteries in the heart
Blockages in the heart valves
Heart failure

How is a Cardiothoracic Surgeon Different from a Cardiologist?

A cardiologist primarily diagnoses disorders of the heart and will treat them with medication. They may also perform interventions on the arteries in the heart working through puncture wounds in the groin, but do not perform open heart surgery. Cardiothoracic surgeons perform heart transplants, ventricular remodeling, and coronary artery bypass surgery.

Are You a Candidate for Cardiothoracic Surgery?

Your primary care doctor, internist or cardiologist may send you to a cardiothoracic surgeon if they feel that you would benefit from a procedure to treat a condition involving your heart, lungs, esophagus, mediastinum, or chest wall.

Adult Heart Disease

Aortic Valve Disease
Cardiac Rhythm Disturbances
Coronary Artery Disease
Mitral Valve Disease
Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm
Tricuspid Valve Disease

Pediatric & Congenital Heart Disease

Atrial Septal Defect
Atrioventricular Canal Defect
Coarctation of the Aorta
Single Ventricle Defects
Tetralogy of Fallot
Transposition of the Great Arteries
Truncus Arteriosus
Ventricular Septal Defect

Lung, Esophageal, & Other Chest Diseases

Achalasia and Esophageal Motility Disorders
Barrett’s Esophagus
Chest Wall Tumors
Esophageal Cancer
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Lung Cancer
Mediastinal Tumors
Mesothelioma
Pleural Diseases

Heart & Lung Transplantation

Adult Heart Transplantation
Adult Lung Transplantation
End-stage Lung Disease
Heart Failure
Pediatric Heart Transplantation
Pediatric Lung Transplantation

FIND A TOP10MD CARDIOTHORACIC SURGEON NEAR YOU

There are hundreds of Cardiothoracic Surgeons to choose from; however, not all surgeons are created equal. Cardiothoracic Surgery takes the skill of an experienced surgeon. That’s why we’ve selected your city’s best Cardiothoracic Surgeons – to make the decision process easier for you and your family.

For your peace of mind, Top10MD Cardiothoracic Surgeons’ credentials are validated yearly to verify medical licenses have no serious patient care sanctions, current Board Certifications in their given medical specialty, current DEA & DPS licenses, and malpractice insurance. A Top10MD has at least 5+ years experience or has performed 300+ procedures in their given specialty and a current Patient Satisfaction Score of 8.5 or higher.