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
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.FIND A TOP10MD CARDIOTHORACIC SURGEON NEAR YOU
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