A cardiovascular surgeon is a medical professional who specializes in operations on the heart and blood vessels. Heart surgeons are the most common moniker for these surgeons. They are also known as cardiothoracic surgeons in the United States (US) because they are often trained to operate on other organs in the thoracic cavity, such as the lungs and esophagus.
A person must undergo extensive training to become a cardiovascular surgeon. Obtaining an undergraduate degree is usually the first step in the process. Following that, the individual usually attends medical school, then spends several years in a general surgery residency, as well as additional training in cardiovascular surgery. Some residency programs allow a physician to train as a cardiovascular surgeon without first completing a general surgery residency. After completing cardiovascular training, surgeons must typically obtain board certification in the region where they intend to practice before performing surgery on their own.
Coronary artery disease, congenital heart defects, abnormal heart rhythms, and heart failure are all conditions that may necessitate the services of a cardiovascular surgeon. Coronary bypass surgery is the most common type of cardiovascular surgery, and it involves rerouting blood flow to the heart bypassing a blocked coronary artery. Heart transplantation is a less common but more well-known surgery that involves removing a diseased heart and replacing it with a healthy donor heart.
Traditionally, most cardiovascular surgeries have been performed fully opening the thoracic cavity to expose the heart and allow the cardiovascular surgeon to reach inside with his or her hands. Minimally invasive techniques have become more popular in recent years. These procedures frequently involve the use of robot-assisted technology, which allows the surgeon to make smaller incisions in the chest and complete the operation using the robot’s hands.
Cardiovascular surgery, as a medical specialty, has room for advancement and the development of new techniques. Cardiovascular surgery is a relatively new field, having started in earnest in the 1950s. Since then, many life-saving surgery techniques have been developed, but there is still room to advance new technologies and improve patient outcomes in the field.
Cardiovascular surgery also allows for specialization. Some surgeons, for example, may choose to work in a university setting, where they can train and mentor future cardiovascular surgeons. Others may choose to specialize in pediatric cardiothoracic surgery. These surgeons specialize in treating children and their unique heart problems, which are often congenital. Others may concentrate solely on adults, treating disorders and diseases that are more common as people get older.