Providing Cardiothoracic & Pulmonary Surgery Services
What Is Cardiothoracic Surgery?
Cardiothoracic surgeons use surgery to treat diseases that affect the organs inside your chest, including your heart, esophagus, and lungs. They specialize in the following treatments and conditions:
- Heart surgery
- Aortic surgery
- Thoracic surgery
- Complex congenital heart disease
- End-stage heart and lung failure
Our highly-qualified specialists diagnose and treat the entire range of cardiac disease. We also work together with all of our other specialists at University of Utah Health to make sure you receive the best care.
Cardiothoracic surgery at University of Utah Health is committed to superior patient care, clinical care, and research into diseases confronting our patients. We have a nationally recognized program that uses leading-edge medical technology in all of our cardiothoracic procedures.
Heart & Aortic Surgery Procedures
- Minimally Invasive Robotic Heart Surgery
- Surgical Ventricular Restoration
- Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm Repair
- Ventricular Septal Defect Repair (VSD)
Thoracic Procedures
- Chest Wall Resection
- Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Repair
- Decortication for Empyema
- Diaphragmatic Pacing
- Diaphragm Plication for Paralyzed Diaphragm
- Esophageal Resection for Cancer
- First Rib Resection for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
- Fundoplication Surgery for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
- Hiatal Hernia Repair
- Lung Biopsy for Interstitial Lung Disease
- Lung Resection for Cancer
- Pectus Excavatum Repair
- Pleurectomy for Pnemuothorax
- Sympathectomy for Hyperhidrosis
- Thymectomy
Why We Are Unique
Our surgical cardiothoracic team practices innovative research that improves patients' lives and is helping to shape the future of heart and lung surgery. Patients who were once thought untreatable have found new hope.
Experts in Minimally Invasive Robotic Surgery Techniques
Our cardiothoracic surgeons are all credentialed in robotic surgery technology and are national experts in these techniques. We are a multidisciplinary team that offers team-based treatment using every available technology.
Robotic surgery techniques promote excellent outcomes, such as dramatically reducing post-surgical complications such as infections, blood loss, and scarring. It involves shorter hospital stays and allows for a much faster return to daily activities.
Treating Patients With Complicated Diseases
Because we treat patients who have very complicated or high-risk conditions, we see patients from the entire Mountain West, including Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, and Arizona.
We also perform fewer invasive procedures, which shortens recovery time for our patients. Having more options for cardiothoracic surgery procedures allows you to make a truly informed decision about your treatment.
First Open Heart Operation in the US
In 1956, we performed one of the first open heart surgeries in the country, and we implanted the first total artificial heart in 1981.
