Cardiothoracic surgeon

Cardiothoracic Surgeon

Occupation
Names	Cardiothoracic Surgeon
Pronunciation
Occupation type	Specialty
Activity sectors	Medicine, Surgery
Specialty
Competencies
Education required	MD or DO, Residency, Fellowship

A Cardiothoracic Surgeon is a medical doctor who specializes in surgical procedures of the heart, lungs, esophagus, and other organs in the chest. This field of medicine is known as cardiothoracic surgery. Cardiothoracic surgeons are responsible for performing complex surgeries such as coronary artery bypass grafting, heart valve repair or replacement, and lung resections.

Education and Training

The path to becoming a cardiothoracic surgeon is long and rigorous. It typically involves the following steps:

1. Undergraduate Education: Aspiring cardiothoracic surgeons must first complete a bachelor's degree, often with a focus on pre-medical courses such as biology, chemistry, and physics.
2. Medical School: After obtaining an undergraduate degree, the next step is to attend medical school to earn a MD or DO degree. Medical school usually lasts four years.
3. Residency: Following medical school, graduates must complete a residency program in general surgery, which typically lasts five to seven years.
4. Fellowship: After completing a general surgery residency, surgeons must undergo additional specialized training in cardiothoracic surgery through a fellowship program, which usually lasts two to three years.

Areas of Expertise

Cardiothoracic surgeons are trained to perform a wide range of procedures, including but not limited to:

• Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG): A procedure to improve blood flow to the heart by diverting blood around blocked or narrowed coronary arteries.
• Heart Valve Surgery: Repairing or replacing damaged heart valves to ensure proper blood flow through the heart.
• Lung Surgery: Including lobectomy, pneumonectomy, and other procedures to remove or repair parts of the lung.
• Esophageal Surgery: Procedures to treat conditions such as esophageal cancer or severe gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Work Environment

Cardiothoracic surgeons work in a variety of settings, including:

• Hospitals: Most cardiothoracic surgeons work in hospital settings, where they perform surgeries and provide postoperative care.
• Academic Institutions: Some surgeons are involved in teaching and research at medical schools and universities.
• Private Practice: A smaller number of cardiothoracic surgeons work in private practice, often in collaboration with hospitals.

Challenges and Rewards

The field of cardiothoracic surgery is both challenging and rewarding. Surgeons must be able to handle high-pressure situations and make quick, life-saving decisions. The work is physically demanding and requires long hours, but the ability to significantly improve or save patients' lives is a major reward.

See Also

• Cardiology
• Thoracic Surgery
• Vascular Surgery

References

• "Cardiothoracic Surgery." American College of Surgeons. Accessed October 2023.
• "Becoming a Cardiothoracic Surgeon." Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Accessed October 2023.

External Links

• [Society of Thoracic Surgeons](https://www.sts.org/)
• [American Board of Thoracic Surgery](https://www.abts.org/)