- Home
- Parents Home
- Allergy Center
- Asthma Center
- Diabetes Center
- A to Z Dictionary
- Emotions & Behavior
- First Aid & Safety
- Food Allergy Center
- General Health
- Growth & Development
- Flu Center
- Heart Health
- Homework Help Center
- Infections
- Diseases & Conditions
- Nutrition & Fitness Center
- Play & Learn Center
- School & Family Life
- Pregnancy Center
- Newborn Center
- Q&A
- Recipes
- Sports Medicine Center
- Doctors & Hospitals
- Videos
- Para Padres
Health Care Providers: Cardiothoracic Surgeons
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.
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
© 1995- The Nemours Foundation. KidsHealth® is a registered trademark of The Nemours Foundation. All rights reserved.
Images sourced by The Nemours Foundation and Getty Images.