Cardiothoracic Surgery Department

With heart disease cases on the rise due to sedentary lifestyles, poor diets, heavy smoking as well as diabetes and hot tropical climates, most patients develop coronary artery issues in their mid-forties

Cardiothoracic surgery is the newest development in medical surgery which combines the diligence and meticulous approach to both diagnosis and treatment – each patient receives the highest level of professional attention from their personalised team of medical professionals.

This involves the surgical treatment of diseases affecting organs within the thorax (chest) where surgeons generally treat diseases and other conditions related to the heart and lungs. Cardiothoracic surgery includes but are not limited to operations such as heart by-pass and open-heart surgeries.

Gleneagles Hospitals boasts state-of-the-art equipment combined with a multidisciplinary team of cardiothoracic surgeons, cardiologists, nurses, and aftercare specialists to deliver professional and experienced medical care.

What are the cardiothoracic conditions treated by cardiothoracic surgeons?

Cardiothoracic surgeons treat the following conditions:

• Aortic transaction due to trauma or accident
• Atrial fibrillation
• Congestive heart failure (heart attack)
• Esophageal cancer
• Left ventricular aneurysm
• Lung cancers
• Mediastinal tumours
• Thoracic aortic aneurysm
• Tracheal stenosis
• Valvular insufficiency
• Valvular stenosis

Symptoms for heart attack vary depending on the condition you have. However, they may include:

• Aortic transaction due to trauma or accident
• Atrial fibrillation
• Pain in the chest, upper back, and neck
• Heartburn
• Nausea and vomiting
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Heart palpitations

What are the screening options for cardiothoracic conditions?

Various tests are used to diagnose and screen for cardiothoracic conditions for the heart and lungs. These include:

What are the cardiothoracic surgeries and procedures?

Cardiothoracic surgeries and procedures include:

• Coronary artery bypass grafting including total arterial revascularisation, beating heart surgery and endoscopic vessel harvesting
• Heart valve repairs and replacement
• Carotid surgery to remove plaque from carotid arteries
• Repair of congenital heart defects in children and adults
• Surgery for cardiac tumours
• Surgery for disease of the pericardium – pericardiectomy, drainage, pericardial window, excision of pericardial cysts and tumours
• Lung surgery – video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), bronchoscopy, lobectomy, pneumonectomy, tumours, lung abscess, and lung biopsy
• Surgery for pleural disease - decortication, biopsy
• Surgery for mediastinal disease - mediastinoscopy, excision of mediastinal tumours, thymectomy, retrosternal goitre
• Minimally invasive sympathectomy
• Chest wall reconstruction surgery

What are the side effects and risks of cardiothoracic surgery?

All surgeries come with risks. Here are a few that you should be aware of:

• Infection or bleeding at the surgery site
• Blood clots
• Stroke and seizures, although this is rare
• Heart attack
• Reaction to anaesthesia used for the surgery
• Injury to oesophagus, trachea, or nerves
• Surgical mortality

Cardiothoracic surgery at Gleneagles Hospitals

Although there are risks being taken into consideration, the benefits usually outweigh the risks. Cardiothoracic surgeries can save individuals from life-threatening situations - it helps open up arteries that are blocked, repair weak heart muscles, and correct heart rhythm issues.

At Gleneagles Hospital, the surgical team will tailor a treatment plan according to your health needs as well as the type of surgery you will be having. We aim to provide the best after surgery and follow up care. The team of professionally trained surgeons will be with you every step of the way.