Thoracic and cardiovascular surgeons are specialist doctors who deal with cases of disease in organs in the chest cavity, especially the heart and lungs. The duties of this specialist doctor start from making a diagnosis, giving medicines, to handling it by way of surgery.
To become a thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon, a person needs to have a general medical education background and complete specialist education in thoracic, cardiac, and vascular surgery for approximately 10 semesters or 5 years. After graduating, general practitioners will get a specialist degree as a thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon (Sp. BTKV).
Disorders in the chest and heart area have a high risk of complications ranging from infection, stroke, and even death. In treating patients, thoracic surgeons often collaborate with doctors from other specialized branches, such as cardiologists and blood vessels, lung doctors, and internists.
Specialist Sub Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon
The scope of work of the thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon is quite extensive, so it needs to be divided into several special divisions, namely:
General heart surgery
Handling various types of heart disorders surgery in adults, generally due to coronary heart disease, heart failure, and heart valve disease.
Chest surgery
Manage various types of surgery due to disorders of the chest area including the lungs, chest wall, esophagus, or diaphragm.
Heart surgery due to congenital disease
Handling a variety of congenital heart diseases that have existed since birth in infants and children.
In addition, there are also thoracic and cardiovascular surgeons who have studied the field of organ transplants in the chest cavity, such as heart and lung transplants, or specifically handling cases of injury to the chest cavity.
Diseases that can be treated by thoracic and cardiovascular surgeons
Thoracic and cardiovascular surgeons have the competence in dealing with a variety of the following conditions:
- Heart problems, such as valvular heart disease, heart failure, heart disease, cardiac tamponade, and cardiomyopathy.
- Heart attack that requires heart surgery.
- Congenital heart disease.
- Heart rhythm abnormalities.
- Cardiogenic shock.
- Aortic aneurysm.
- Cancer in the chest area, such as lung cancer and esophageal cancer.
- Pneumothorax.
- Severe emphysema.
- Hiatus hernia.
- Swallowing disorders, such as achalasia.
In determining the health problem or diagnosis of the patient's disease, the thoracic surgeon will carry out a series of examinations, namely physical examination and support.
After tracing a patient's history or symptoms, and doing a physical examination, the doctor may then suggest a number of additional examinations, such as:
- Blood and urine test.
- Chest radiograph, CT scan, MRI, and angiography.
- ECG (electrocardiogram).
- Echocardiography
- Doppler ultrasound.
- Heart biopsy.
What Doctors Can Do Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons
After the diagnosis is confirmed, the thoracic surgeon will determine the method of treatment. The goal is to restore the function of the chest organs, including the heart and lungs, so that they can function properly again.
Before performing surgery, the doctor will likely suggest non-surgical treatment steps first such as lifestyle changes, or by administering drugs.
If necessary, then the thoracic surgeon will perform several surgical procedures or minimally invasive medical procedures to treat the patient's condition. Some procedures that can be performed by this thoracic surgeon are:
- Cardiac artery operations, such as aortic surgery and Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) or heart bypass surgery.
- Pneumonectomy, lobectomy or wedge resection surgery, which is a medical procedure for removal of the lungs either in part or in full.
- Pacemaker installation with a surgical method.
- Heart valve surgery.
- Angioplasty.
- Transplantation of organs, heart and lungs.
- Cardiac catheterization.
- Removal of tumors, cysts, or cancer in the lungs
- Surgery for deformity of the chest wall.
Apart from major surgery, thoracic surgeons can utilize various other advanced technologies to minimize incisions during surgery. This procedure is called minimally invasive surgical procedure. The advantage of this procedure technique is that there is less risk and recovery can take place more quickly.
When should you see a thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon?
Disorders of the heart and lungs can be very diverse, so the symptoms also vary greatly. Even so, in general, here are the signs and symptoms that indicate interference with the heart and lung organs:
- Pain or discomfort in the chest.
- Chest pain that radiates to the jaw, neck, shoulders, or back.
- Heart beat.
- Hard to breathe.
- A cold sweat.
- Easily tired after physical activity.
If you experience the symptoms above, especially in the long term or disappear, you should immediately see a doctor. Disorders of the organs in the chest can be fatal if not treated immediately.
Preparation Before Meeting a Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon
A person usually goes to a thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon after getting a referral from a general practitioner, cardiologist, lung specialist, or internist.
Therefore, before coming to see a thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon, bring all the results of the examination that has been done before.
To diagnose and treat cases of a patient's illness, the thoracic surgeon needs to do a complete medical examination and get detailed information. Therefore, do the following when consulting with a thoracic surgeon:
- Convey all the symptoms and complaints that you feel.
- Explain the history of the disease that you have suffered or a history of illness in the family.
- Tell your doctor about the medications you are taking (including supplements and herbal remedies), and the allergies you have.
- Also tell your daily habits, including exercise and smoking habits (active or passive).
- Ask your family or friends to accompany you, so that you are calmer.
It is recommended to find out in advance about the costs required to conduct consultations and examinations to the thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon, because the possibility of the costs you will incur is not small.
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