Specialty
Cardiothoracic Surgery – Cardiothoracic Surgeon
A cardiothoracic surgeon is a sugeon who specialises in operations involving the chest. This includes open operations of the heart and lungs.
Medical Conditions
- Ischaemic heart disease - narrowing of the blood vessels that supply the heart with blood and oxygen - may cause angina, heart attack, heart failure and ultimately death.
- Valvular heart disease - the heart valves may become diseased and require replacement.
- Lung cancer
- Trauma
- Pneumothorax
- Emphysema / CAL
- Aortic dissection
Specialty Areas of Interest
- Thoracic surgery
- Cardiac surgery
Associated Tests
Procedures
- Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)
- Valve replacement
- Lobectomy
- Pneumonectomy
- Pleuradhesis
- Lung volume reduction surgery
What to expect
History
Your cardiothoracic surgeon will ask about your current symptoms, previous and current therapy and state of fitness.
Examination
Your cardiothoracic surgeon will examine your heart and chest in association with reviewing other imaging investigations.
Training and Qualifications
Entry into cardiothoracic training is usually very competitive. Once selected 5 years of specialty training follows. Trainees work and operate under the supervision of a consultant / specialist cardiothoracic surgeon. Registrars must sit examinations, perform many supervised operations and conduct research before eventually reaching specialty level.