Cardiothoracic Surgery

Your heart and lungs are the center of your health. They work together to help your body move oxygen-rich blood throughout your body. When a disease or injury affects one of these organs, it can affect your whole body.

At Banner Health, our surgeons treat a wide range of conditions affecting the heart, lungs and chest. Some cases are simple. Others are more serious. No matter your needs, you’ll receive expert care tailored to your specific needs.

What is cardiothoracic surgery?

This type of surgery treats diseases and injuries inside your chest. That includes your:

• Heart and blood vessels
• Lungs
• Esophagus (the tube that connects your mouth to your stomach)
• Surrounding tissues in your chest

There are two main types:

• Cardiac surgery: Focuses on the heart and major blood vessels
• Thoracic surgery: Focuses on the lungs, chest wall and esophagus

Cardiothoracic surgeons are trained in both. They may use open surgery or smaller, less invasive tools. They work closely with cardiologists, pulmonologists (lung specialists) and other specialists to give you the best care.

Can a cardiothoracic surgeon perform a heart and lung transplant?

Yes, but only some cardiothoracic surgeons are trained and approved to perform them. Heart and lung transplants are highly specialized surgeries that require extra training and must be done at approved transplant centers. 

Learn more about Banner Health’s transplant program.

What conditions can it treat?

This surgery can treat problems caused by disease, injury or infection. Some common ones include:

Heart conditions

• Narrow or blocked arteries (coronary artery disease)
• Heart valve problems (leaky or stiff valves)
• Heart failure
• Weak or bulging blood vessels in the chest (aneurysm)
• Irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias)
• Congenital heart defects (problems you’re born with)

Lung and chest conditions

• Lung cancer or tumors
• Collapsed lung (pneumothorax)
• Lung infections or abscesses
• Chest wall injuries
• Problems swallowing or breathing related to the esophagus or diaphragm

Types of cardiothoracic surgery

The type of surgery you need depends on your health and condition. Your care team will discuss the best and safest options with you.

Common procedures are:

• Coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG): Also commonly referred to as bypass surgery, CABG creates a new path for blood to flow around blocked arteries.
• Heart valve repair or replacement: Fixes a damaged valve so blood flows properly. This includes the mitral, tricuspid and aortic valves.
• Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR): A less invasive way to replace a narrow heart valve without open-heart surgery.
• Surgical ablation for atrial fibrillation: Uses heat or cold to stop irregular heartbeats.
• Atrial and ventricular septal defect repair: Closes holes in the walls (septa) between the chambers of the heart. 
• Lung removal (lung resection): Removes part or all of a lung, often to treat cancer or severe damage.
• Esophagus surgery: Treats cancer, narrowing or severe reflux.
• Chest opening surgery (thoracotomy): Opens the chest to treat lung, heart or esophagus problems.
• Minimally invasive or robotic-assisted surgery: Uses smaller cuts and special tools to treat certain conditions with less pain and faster healing.

What to expect before surgery

Your care starts well before surgery. Your provider will run tests to make sure surgery is the best option. These may include:

• Blood tests
• Imaging like X-rays, CT scans, MRI or echocardiogram
• Breathing tests
• Exercise stress test
• Upper endoscopy
• A review of your full health history

You’ll also meet with someone on your care team, like a nurse navigator or case manager, to talk about:

• What the surgery involves
• How to prepare
• Risks and how they’ll be managed
• What recovery looks like
• Costs or insurance questions

You may need to stop taking some medications or adjust your diet. You may also see heart or lung specialists to prepare for surgery.

What happens during surgery

Every surgery is different, but here’s what usually happens on the day of your procedure: 

• You arrive early and check in
• Nurses help you get ready and answer questions
• You get medicine to sleep during surgery (general anesthesia)
• The surgeon will do your procedure using the safest method
• After surgery, you go to a recovery room or the intensive care unit (ICU)

Your care team will closely monitor your heart rate, blood pressure and breathing to ensure everything is stable.

Recovery after surgery

Recovery can take time. Some people go home after a few days. Others stay longer, depending on their health and the type of surgery.

As you heal, you may:

• Rest and slowly regain strength
• Take medicines for pain and to prevent infection or blood clots
• Eat healthy foods to help healing
• Walk a little each day to improve circulation
• Do breathing exercises to strengthen your lungs
• Join a cardiac or pulmonary rehabilitation program

Virtual follow-up visits or home-based rehab options may be available. Your care team will give you a clear plan for follow-up visits and rehab options.

Risks and complications

All surgeries have risks. For cardiothoracic surgery, these may include:

• Bleeding 
• Infection
• Blood clots
• Breathing problems
• Irregular heartbeat
• Reactions to anesthesia

Your care team will do everything possible to reduce these risks. Before surgery, your provider will review all possible risks and explain how they’ll be handled if they happen.

When to see a cardiothoracic surgeon

Your primary care provider may refer you to a cardiothoracic surgeon if you:

• Have blocked arteries that don’t improve with medicine or stents
• Have a damaged heart valve
• Have a lung or chest mass or tumor
• Have trouble breathing due to chest problems
• Have chest pain or other ongoing symptoms

If you’re unsure, a consultation can help you understand your options. Our cardiothoracic team at Banner Health will take the time to review your options, answer questions and recommend the best path forward.

Why choose Banner Health for cardiothoracic surgery?

We put your safety, comfort and recovery first. Our heart and lung care teams include:

• Board-certified surgeons
• Highly trained anesthesiologists and nurses
• Heart and lung specialists
• Physical and respiratory therapists
• Case managers and rehab specialists

We use advanced tools and the latest techniques to deliver unparalleled safe and quality care for your condition. Whether you need open-heart surgery, a minimally invasive procedure or ongoing care, we’re here to support you. 

We’re here for you

Facing surgery can feel scary, but you don’t have to face it alone. Make an appointment with a Banner Health cardiothoracic specialist near you and take the next step toward healing.