American Board of Thoracic Surgery 633 N. St. Clair St., Suite 2320 Chicago, IL 60611 Tel: (312) 202-5900 www.abts.org

A Thoracic Surgeon provides the operative, perioperative care and critical care of patients with acquired and congenital pathologic conditions within the chest. Included are the surgical repair of heart lesions, and congenital and acquired conditions of the heart, including the pericardium, coronary arteries, valvesand myocardium. It also includes pathologic conditions of the lung, esophagus and chest wall, abnormalities of the great vessels, tumors of the mediastinum, and diseases of the diaphragm and pericardium. Management of the airway and injuries of the chest are within the scope of the specialty.

Thoracic Surgeons have the knowledge, experience and technical skills to accurately diagnose, safely operate upon and effectively manage patients with thoracic diseases of the chest. This requires substantial knowledge of cardiorespiratory physiology and oncology, as well as capability in the use of heart assist devices, management of abnormal heart rhythms and drainage of the chest cavity, respiratory support systems, endoscopy and invasive and noninvasive diagnostic techniques.

Training Required: Six to eight years

Subspecialty for Thoracic Surgery

• Congenital Cardiac Surgery
  Congenital heart surgery is the operative treatment of structural abnormalities involving the heart and major blood vessels. Although these defects generally result from congenital malformations, they also include acquired defects in infants and children. Congenital heart surgeons care for patients from the fetus to the adult.
  

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