Cardiothoracic surgery

Cardiothoracic surgery refers to medical procedures that are carried out on organs situated within the chest cavity, such as the heart, lungs, major blood vessels and oesophagus. Cardiothoracic surgeons are specialists who are trained in both cardio and thoracic surgery, enabling them to perform intricate procedures on both the heart and chest organs. At King’s College Hospital London Dubai, the Cardiothoracic Surgery Unit offers comprehensive care and recovery services for patients with chest organ conditions. The unit is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and is led by highly experienced cardiothoracic surgeons who have undergone training in the US and Europe, and have extensive knowledge of a variety of cardiothoracic surgeries and procedures.

The Cardiothoracic Unit performs various common cardiothoracic procedures, which include:

• OPEN-HEART SURGERY: This procedure is used to treat various heart problems, including heart valve problems, coronary artery blockages, heart rhythm issues, and heart defects.
• CORONARY ARTERY BYPASS GRAFTING (CABG): This is an open-heart surgical procedure in which a healthy artery or vein is used to bypass a narrowed or blocked coronary artery.
• ANGIOPLASTY: This procedure is used to restore healthy blood flow to the heart by opening up narrowed or blocked arteries.
• HEART TRANSPLANT: This is a surgical procedure in which a diseased heart is replaced with a healthy heart from a human donor.
• HEART VALVE REPAIR: This open-heart surgical procedure repairs or replaces a damaged heart valve in order to restore normal function and relieve strain on the heart.
• CAROTID SURGERY: Also known as carotid endarterectomy, this surgical procedure removes plaque from the carotid artery, which supplies blood to the brain.
• STENT PLACEMENT: This procedure involves placing stents in narrowed arteries to keep them open and allow for healthy blood flow.
• IMPLANT OF VENTRICULAR ASSIST DEVICES: This procedure involves implanting a ventricular assist device (heart pump) to treat heart failure.
• HEART ABLATION: This procedure targets a small area of the heart muscle and destroys it to treat abnormal heart rhythms.
• LOBECTOMY: This open chest procedure removes a large section of the lung, including nodules, to treat lung cancer.
• PLEURECTOMY: This procedure removes the inner lining of the chest cavity.
• PNEUMONECTOMY: This procedure removes an entire lung and lymph nodes to treat lung cancer.
• WEDGE RESECTION: This surgical procedure is used to diagnose or treat lung nodules by removing wedge-shaped portions of lung tissue.
• THORACENTESIS: This procedure drains excess fluid that builds up between the lungs and chest cavity and can be used to analyze the fluid to determine the underlying cause of the fluid buildup.

What happens during your consultation with a cardiothoracic surgeon?

When you have a consultation with a cardiothoracic surgeon, they will first review your medical history and discuss the symptoms you are experiencing. In addition, you can expect to undergo a physical examination and various tests such as an echocardiogram, chest x-ray, or EKG. The surgeon will also discuss the risks associated with your condition and provide recommendations for treatment options. They will explain how to prepare for the treatment, the risks involved, the duration of the procedure, and the expected recovery period in detail. You can also expect to receive a detailed explanation of the recovery process following treatment.