What is a Cardiothoracic Surgeon?

About Cardiothoracic Surgeons

Cardiothoracic Surgeons perform both surgical and non-invasive operations to treat conditions involving the heart, lungs, esophagus, and organs inside the chest as well as the tissue, muscle, and bone that comprise the chest cavity. Expertise in both cardiac surgery and thoracic surgery is essential to the care and treatment of illness diagnosed in this area of the body and the use of surgery to prevent further illness and restore function to these vital organs and their surrounding structures.

Patients are referred to Cardiothoracic surgeons by a number of other specialists including Family Doctors / General Practitioners, Cardiologists, Pulmonologists, or Gastroenterologists if it is recommended that surgery must be done involving the heart, lungs, esophagus, or chest. They review images and tests such as echocardiograms, X-rays, or CT scans as well as patients’ medical history, and decide the best course of action for treatment and the use of surgery for the prevention and repair of the effects of heart disease.

Some of the commonly treated conditions that Cardiothoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons specialize in include coronary artery disease, arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythms,) heart failure, angina, and Mesothelioma (tumors occurring in the protective lining of the heart and lungs.)

Surgical procedures carried out by a Cardiothoracic Surgeon include heart valve repair or replacement, implantation of a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD,) heart transplant, open-heart surgery, off-pump heart surgery, angioplasty, and vein and artery grafts. Thoracic surgeons are also trained in performing bronchoscopy or esophagoscopy.

Cardiothoracic surgeons encompass specialties including cardiovascular surgeons, pediatric cardiac surgeons, general thoracic surgeons, and congenital heart surgeons.

Useful Resources

Canada

Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

British Columbia

Alberta

Saskatchewan

Manitoba

Ontario

Quebec

Newfoundland and Labrador

New Brunswick

Nova Scotia