Department of Cardiovascular
&
Chest Surgery

The division of cardiac surgery provides management of both congenital and acquired heart disease. Both types of heart disease are managed using the latest techniques. The division has a long experience in the management of advanced coronary artery disease and acute myocardial ischemia and with the use of minimally invasive techniques when appropriate.

The experience of the division in valvular surgery is extensive with the use of different treatment modalities and approaches depending on the individual case.
Special interest in congenital heart defects with management of patients of all ages by a competent team of cardiologists and anesthetists.

The chest (also known as the thoracic cavity) contains the heart, two lungs, multiple lymph nodes, the thymus gland, and the esophagus. Heart surgery is performed by a cardiac surgeon, whereas surgery on the other organs is usually done by a thoracic surgeon. There are a number of different ways to approach the chest contents. The most common technique is an incision between the ribs (called a thoracotomy), but several small incisions can often be used instead to introduce thorascopic instruments including a telescopic camera. In addition, chest structures are sometimes best accessed through the sternal bone (mediasternotomy), which is the same approach used for open heart surgery.