Cardiothoracic

Cardiothoracic refers to medical care of the heart and chest. In practice, the field spans two primary domains: cardiology, which addresses non-surgical management of cardiovascular diseases, and cardiothoracic surgery, which performs operations on the heart, lungs, esophagus, and other thoracic structures. The specialty covers both adult and pediatric patients, and includes congenital heart surgery, adult cardiac surgery, and thoracic surgery.

Thoracic surgery focuses on the lungs, pleura, mediastinum, esophagus, thymus, and related structures, while cardiac surgery addresses disorders of the heart and great vessels. The field also overlaps with interventional cardiology and interventional pulmonology, which use catheter-based techniques and minimally invasive approaches for selected conditions.

Diagnosis in cardiothoracic care relies on imaging and invasive techniques. Common tools include echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography, chest CT, and positron emission tomography. Procedures such as bronchoscopy, thoracoscopy, and pericardiocentesis are used for assessment and treatment.

Training typically requires medical school followed by residency in internal medicine and/or general surgery, with fellowships in cardiothoracic surgery and subspecialty certifications. Practice is often delivered by multidisciplinary teams including surgeons, cardiologists, anesthesiologists, intensivists, and allied health professionals, with emphasis on perioperative care and rehabilitation.

Common conditions managed include heart failure, coronary artery disease, valvular disease, congenital heart defects, arrhythmias, and a range of thoracic diseases such as lung cancer, esophageal cancer, COPD, and mediastinal tumors. Outcomes depend on disease stage, patient factors, and access to specialized care.