What Is Cardiothoracic Surgery?

Cardiothoracic (kar-dee-oh-theh-RA-sik) surgery is the surgical specialty that treats diseases and problems of the heart and chest with surgery.

What Is a Cardiothoracic Surgeon?

A cardiothoracic surgeon is a doctor who does surgery to treat problems that affect the heart and chest.

Why Would Someone Need One?

Cardiothoracic surgeons diagnose and treat:

• heart problems that are present at birth
• heart problems that develop later in life
• problems with heart valves
• arrhythmias
• aneurysms
• cancers in the chest 

They do many different medical procedures, including:

• surgery to fix heart problems or valve problems
• surgery to fix an aneurysm
• echocardiograms
• EKGs

What Is Their Training?

Cardiothoracic surgeon training includes:

• 4 years of pre-medical education at a college or university
• 4 years of medical school — a medical degree (MD) or doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO) degree
• 4–5 years of a general surgery residency then 2–3 years of cardiothoracic surgery residency or a 6-year cardiothoracic surgery residency

They also might do a fellowship in a subspecialty such as pediatric or transplant cardiothoracic surgery or cardiac surgery. A “fellow” is a doctor who undergoes more specialty training after completing medical school and a residency.

Good to Know

Cardiothoracic surgeons diagnose and treat problems in all organs of the chest including the lungs, esophagus, and heart. Cardiac surgeons get extra training in a fellowship and focus on problems of the heart.