Background & Scope
Cardiovascular surgery is a specialty that involves the surgical treatment of diseases and conditions of the heart and blood vessels. This includes procedures to correct structural abnormalities, repair or replace damaged or diseased tissue, and improve the function of the cardiovascular system.
The scope of cardiovascular surgery is wide and encompasses a variety of procedures. Some common examples include: coronary artery bypass surgery, which is performed to bypass blockages in the coronary arteries and improve blood flow to the heart; valve repair or replacement surgery, which is done to repair or replace faulty heart valves; and heart transplantation, which involves replacing a diseased heart with a healthy donor heart.
Cardiovascular surgeons may also perform procedures on the blood vessels, such as carotid endarterectomy (which is the removal of plaque from the carotid arteries in the neck to reduce the risk of stroke) and aortic aneurysm repair (which involves repairing or replacing a weak or damaged section of the aorta, the main artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body).
In addition to these procedures, cardiovascular surgeons may also perform noninvasive procedures such as angioplasty and stenting, which involve the use of catheters and other instruments to open or widen narrowed or blocked blood vessels.
The field of cardiovascular surgery is constantly evolving, and surgeons are constantly seeking new and improved techniques to help their patients. As such, cardiovascular surgeons must stay up-to-date on the latest research and technological advancements in order to provide the best possible care to their patients.
Qualifications, Training, and Certifications
Becoming a cardiovascular surgeon requires a significant amount of education and training. After completing medical school, a five-year general surgery residency program and then a two- to three-year cardiovascular surgery fellowship is required.
During their training, cardiovascular surgeons learn about the anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system, as well as the principles of cardiovascular surgery and how to perform various surgical procedures. They will also gain experience through hands-on training and practice, working alongside experienced surgeons and assisting with procedures.
The American Board of Thoracic Surgery (ABTS) is the main certification board. The ABTS offers certification in thoracic and cardiovascular surgery to surgeons who have completed an accredited training program and passed a rigorous exam.
Conditions, Diseases, Treatments, and Procedures
Some common conditions that may be treated with cardiovascular surgery include: coronary artery disease, which is caused by a buildup of plaque in the coronary arteries that can lead to chest pain, heart attacks, and other cardiovascular problems; heart valve problems, such as stenosis (narrowing) or regurgitation (leakage), which can affect the heart's ability to pump blood effectively; heart failure; and, congenital heart defects, which are abnormalities present at birth that can affect the structure and function of the heart.
Cardiovascular surgeons also treat injuries to the heart and blood vessels, such as those caused by aneurysms (bulges in the walls of the blood vessels) or trauma. They may also perform preventive surgery to reduce the risk of future problems, such as bypass surgery to prevent heart attacks or carotid endarterectomy to reduce the risk of stroke.
Some common examples of cardiovascular surgery procedures include:
Coronary artery bypass surgery: This procedure involves creating a new pathway for blood to flow around a blockage in one of the coronary arteries, improving blood flow to the heart.
Heart valve repair or replacement: This surgery involves repairing or replacing a faulty heart valve to improve the heart's ability to pump blood.
Heart transplantation: This procedure involves replacing a diseased heart with a healthy donor heart.
Carotid endarterectomy: This surgery involves removing plaque from the carotid arteries in the neck to reduce the risk of stroke.
Aortic aneurysm repair: This procedure involves repairing or replacing a weak or damaged section of the aorta, the main artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body.
Angioplasty and stenting: These procedures involve using catheters and other instruments to open or widen narrowed or blocked blood vessels.
Related Medical Specialties
One related medical specialty to cardiovascular surgery is cardiology, which is the study and treatment of diseases and disorders of the heart. Cardiologists are medical doctors who specialize in diagnosing and managing conditions such as coronary artery disease, heart failure, arrhythmias, and hypertension (high blood pressure). They may also perform noninvasive procedures such as echocardiograms (ultrasound of the heart) and stress tests to evaluate the function of the heart.
Another related specialty is interventional cardiology, which involves the use of catheters and other instruments to perform procedures such as angioplasty and stenting to open or widen narrowed or blocked blood vessels. Interventional cardiologists often work closely with cardiovascular surgeons and may assist with procedures or provide follow-up care for patients who have undergone cardiovascular surgery.
Other medical specialties that may be involved in the care of patients with cardiovascular conditions include: primary care, such as internal medicine or family medicine, which is responsible for the general medical care of patients; pulmonary medicine, which focuses on problems with the respiratory system which frequently occur with heart failure; and anesthesia, which is responsible for managing pain and other aspects of patient care during surgery.
Medical-Legal Cases Involving Cardiovascular Surgery
Examples of cardiovascular surgery medical malpractice include failing to properly diagnose a condition, performing the wrong procedure, or making a mistake during surgery that leads to injury or death.
Another type of medical-legal case involving cardiovascular surgery is a product liability case.