Cardiothoracic

This is an opening we make in your chest. It lets us get to your lungs and other organs. We can do several things through the thoracotomy. We can examine your organs. We can take a tissue sample. And, we can perform surgery through the opening.

The subclavian artery carries blood from your heart to your arms. If an aneurysm forms in this artery, it must be repaired before something serious occurs. This is done using open subclavian aneurysm repair.

During surgery for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), the weakened aortic wall is replaced with a hollow manmade tube (a graft).

Thoracotomy is surgery used to diagnose and treat certain lung problems.

After your surgery, breathing may be uncomfortable at first. Take things slowly, and rest when you get tired.

The hospital stay after a thoracotomy varies for each person. It is often a week or longer. Ask your doctor how long you might expect your stay to be.

Here are tips to help you take care of your incision when you get home.

A pericardial window is a surgery done on the sac around the heart. A small part of the sac is removed. This lets excess fluid drain from the sac.

Septal myectomy is a type of open-heart surgery. It's done to treat hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This is when the heart muscle becomes thick. During the surgery, extra muscle is removed from part of the heart. This lets the blood pump through the heart more easily.

Septal myectomy is a type of open-heart surgery. It's done to treat hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This is when part of the heart muscle becomes thick. The surgery helps lessen symptoms of the condition.

A pericardial window is a surgery done on the sac around the heart. A small part of the sac is removed. This lets extra fluid drain from the sac.

Percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy (PBP) is a procedure to drain extra fluid from the sac around your heart. It's done with a long, thin tube (catheter) that has a small balloon attached. A small hole is made in the sac. Fluid is then drained out through the tube.

Pericardial effusion is the buildup of extra fluid in the sac around the heart (pericardium). If too much fluid builds up, it can put pressure on the heart. This can prevent it from pumping normally.

Percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy (PBP) is a procedure to drain extra fluid from the sac around the heart. It's done with a long, thin tube (catheter) that has a small balloon attached. A small hole is made in the sac. Fluid is then drained out through the tube.

Pericardial effusion is the buildup of extra fluid in the sac around the heart. If too much fluid builds up, it can put pressure on the heart. This can prevent it from pumping normally.

Pericardiectomy is a surgery to remove part or all of the sac around the heart. This lets the heart move more freely.

Pericardiocentesis is a procedure to remove fluid that has built up in the sac around the heart. Read on to learn details about what to expect before, during, and after this procedure.

A sympathectomy is a procedure to cut or block a nerve. It's done to treat problems such as severe sweating (hyperhidrosis) and severe facial blushing. Learn more about the procedure here.

Detailed information on thoracic aortic aneurysms, including description of a thoracic aortic aneurysm, causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and full-color anatomical illustrations

Pericardiectomy is a surgery to remove part or all of the sac around the heart. This lets the heart move more freely.

Pericardiocentesis is a procedure to remove fluid that has built up in the sac around the heart. The fluid is drained with a needle and flexible tube (catheter).

Learn why William is happy he went to the doctor to get checked out instead of ignoring his problem.