[Cardiothoracic surgery] Introduction

Cardiothoracic surgeons specialise in diseases of the heart, lungs, and thoracic cavity.
There is significant overlap with cardiology and pulmonology.

 

Etymology

Ancient Greek καρδίᾱ (kardiā) = heart

Ancient Greek θώραξ (thṓrax) = thorax
Ancient Greek θωρακικός (thōrakikós) = of the thorax

 

History taking

Physical examination  

 

Common problems:

• Heart valve disease
• Bicuspid aortic valve  
• Mitral stenosis 
• Mitral insufficiency (mitral regurgitation)
• Aortic stenosis
• Aortic insufficiency (aortic regurtitation)
• Pericardial effusion
• Cardiac tamponade
• Congenital heart disease
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• Lung cancer

 

Heart diseases

 

Lung diseases

 

Diseases:

• Mitral valve prolapse
• Mesothelioma 
• Myxoma
• Thymoma 
• Aortic coarctation
• Patent ductus arteriosus 
• Tetralogy of Fallot
• Transposition of the great vessels
• Ventricular septal defect (VSD) 
• Eisenmenger's syndrome