Cardiac Surgery

Overview

Cardiac and thoracic surgeons at all three Mayo Clinic locations specialize in diagnosing and surgically treating disorders of the heart, lung and chest. More than 20 Mayo surgeons perform thousands of operations each year using state-of-the-art technology, including minimally invasive techniques and "off pump bypass" heart procedures. Mayo Clinic offers the full spectrum of cardiothoracic and cardiovascular surgical services. Children with heart conditions receive state-of-the-art care from Mayo's pediatric cardiologists.

In Florida and Arizona, heart and chest surgery are combined in one department: Cardiothoracic Surgery.

In Minnesota, Cardiovascular Surgery is separate from Thoracic Surgery. Cardiovascular Surgery specializes in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of pediatric and adult patients with congenital conditions, valve replacement and repair, coronary artery disease, thoracic aneurysms, heart failure and transplantation. Thoracic Surgery specializes in diagnosis and surgical care to adult patients with diseases of the lungs, trachea, esophagus, diaphragm, chest wall and mediastinum.

In most cases, it takes only two to three days for patients to be evaluated and surgery (when necessary) to be scheduled. The surgeons work in partnership with physician colleagues in other areas, especially Cardiovascular Diseases, Vascular Medicine, Pulmonary Medicine, Gastroenterology/Hepatology and Hematology/Oncology.

Mayo Clinic surgeons practice in an atmosphere of scientific inquiry, carefully analyzing their large-volume surgical practice for ways to improve. The surgeons are involved in many clinical trials evaluating new approaches for treatment of heart, lung and chest conditions.