In today's scenario, modern surgery has advanced to a level that the depth of expertise and skill sets needed for delivering high-quality surgical care has led surgeons to specialize and further subspecialize in disciplines focused on an anatomical region of the body. They also specialise in a specific method (open or minimally invasive methods) or patient type (paediatric, general, or geriatric). There are ten surgical specialties. Among these 10, the following article is all about cardiothoracic surgery.
Cardiothoracic surgeons in Mumbai at Asian Heart Institute are skilled in numerous types of complex surgical procedures to treat thoracic and cardiovascular diseases. In order to provide patients with the finest treatment possible, our surgical team teams up with skilled cardiac anesthesiologists, cardiac nurses, physician assistants, and perfusionists while applying the latest, advanced, and minimally invasive procedures to treat complicated heart and chest diseases. Let’s scroll down to learn more about these procedures thoroughly.
What is CTVS?
Any procedure involving surgical intervention of the heart, the blood vessels that transport blood to and from the heart, or the other organs present in the thoracic cavity, such as the lung, is referred to as cardio-thoracic & vascular surgery (CTVS). It is commonly called cardiovascular surgery, cardiac surgery, or heart surgery. Patients with cardiac disease, those who have suffered a heart attack, stroke, or clogging of blood clots, and those who are at high risk of developing these issues are generally advised to undergo such procedures.Cardiovascular surgery may be recommended by doctors for several reasons, such as treating or preventing heart attacks and blood clots, correcting irregular heartbeats, unblocking clogged or narrowed arteries, correcting congenital heart problems, and repairing damaged or diseased heart valves. However, cardiovascular surgery is not always needed for managing heart problems. While many cardiovascular diseases are treated with medicines and less invasive procedures using catheters and robotic surgical systems, some require open chest surgery.
Types of CTVS Surgeons
Following surgeons carry out CTVS procedures depending upon the objective of the surgery:- Cardiac surgeon (for heart procedures)
- Congenital heart surgeon (for structural defects of the heart from birth)
- Cardiovascular surgeon (for treating disorders of blood vessels supplying blood to the heart)
- General thoracic surgeon (for treating all the structures in the thoracic cavity)
- Transplant surgeon (for heart transplant surgeries)
What Do Cardiothoracic Surgeons Do?
A cardiothoracic surgeon is a surgeon who performs surgical procedures on the heart, lungs, and esophagus, among other organs that lie within the chest. The heart and lungs are very critical organs of the body as they serve the vital function of providing blood and oxygen to your entire body.Cardiothoracic surgeons in Mumbai are trained in both general and cardiothoracic surgery. They surgically treat patients with conditions or injuries to the chest. They advise testing for diagnosing heart problems, thoroughly discuss the treatment options, perform the procedure, and then follow up with the patient after treatment for a specific period of time, depending upon the condition of the patient and the procedure undertaken. They may further specialise in treating newborns for congenital heart diseases.
When is CTVS Needed?
CTVS is recommended for managing the following disorders if they fail to respond to medications:| Disorders | Description |
| Coronary artery disease | Blockage of blood vessels supplying blood to the heart structures |
| Atrial fibrillation | Irregular heartbeat |
| Issues with your aorta, like aneurysms | Abnormal bulging or ballooning of the walls of the aorta |
| Heart transplant | Replacing a diseased heart with a healthy heart |
| Lung transplant | Replacing a diseased lung with a healthy lung |
| Lung disease, such as cancer | Abnormal growth of lung cells |
| Esophageal disease, such as cancer | Abnormal growth of oesophageal cells |
| Emphysema | Damaging to the air sacs of the lungs |
| Heart failure | Impairment of the heart’s ability to pump adequate blood to the body |
| Chest injury | Any trauma of the structures inside or outside the chest that necessitate thoracic surgery |
| Congenital heart defects | Abnormality in the structure of the heart from birth |
| Hiatal hernias | Upward bulging of the stomach |
| Chest wall issues | Any defect or issue in the muscle and bone of the chest |
| Aneurysms in the chest arteries | Abnormal bulging or ballooning of the walls of the arteries of the chest |
| Heart valves that aren’t working right | Any structural or functional defect of heart valves |
| Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) | A digestive disorder characterised by the flow back of stomach acid or bile into the esophagus |
What Procedures & Treatments are Covered Under CTVS?
| Procedure | When It’s Used |
| Aortic Aneurysm Repair | Performed to help shrink and stabilize the widened part of the aorta and prevent rupture. |
| Aortic Valve Surgery | Recommended when valve disease affects blood flow or causes symptoms such as fatigue, chest pain, or shortness of breath. |
| Complex Reoperations | Performed when a prior heart surgery needs revision or when new heart conditions develop over time. |
| Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery (CABG) | Recommended for patients with coronary artery disease when blood flow to the heart is restricted. |
| Heart Valve Surgery | Carried out when a heart valve is diseased, leaking, narrowed, or not functioning properly. |
| Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) | Commonly recommended for patients with aortic stenosis who have symptoms such as chest pain, tiredness, or breathlessness. |
| Advanced Cardiac Procedures | Undertaken for conditions such as atrial fibrillation, valve repairs through small incisions, and robotic lung cancer |
Conclusion
Cardiothoracic surgeons can be called lifesavers. This is because some of your body's most important organs are surgically managed by cardiothoracic surgeons. They often carry out complicated surgeries involving vital organs of the body.Discuss thoroughly with your doctor why a certain procedure is necessary and how it will treat your health issue. Continue taking any medications given by your cardiothoracic surgeon after the procedure, and do not miss your follow-up sessions.
When it comes to heart surgery, you will surely find the best cardiothoracic surgeon near me. Asian Heart Institute provides highly skilled heart surgery and cardiology services backed by high expertise and advanced technology.
The top cardiothoracic surgeons of India are here to help you at Asian Heart Institute. For personalised advice, book your consultation now!
FAQs
Q1: Do I need a reference to visit a cardiothoracic surgeon?A: Verify with your insurance provider to find out whether you need a referral to visit a cardiothoracic surgeon. You will most likely receive one from a healthcare practitioner who diagnoses your condition and determines that it cannot be resolved with medication or a small surgical procedure.
Q2: When do you need to consult a cardiothoracic surgeon?
A: Most of the time, a different doctor will recommend you to a cardiothoracic surgeon. Mostly, it will be from a general physician. In certain cases, an expert such as a pulmonologist or cardiologist may recommend that you consult a cardiac surgeon. This could happen when medications or treatments are no longer effective in treating your ailment, and you require surgery.
Q3:What is the most risky cardiac surgery?
A: Aortic surgery is considered a high-risk cardiac procedure due to the possibility of severe blood loss and associated life-threatening consequences.
