Cardiothoracic Surgery
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Cardiothoracic Surgery

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About the Section

Services

  • Cardiac Valve surgery, including homograft and mitral valve repair

  • Coronary artery bypass grafting

  • Electrophysiology surgery

  • Innovative applications of shared decision-making techniques

  • Nurse clinicians who act as patient advocates and coordinate patient education, discharge planning, and follow-up care

  • Technical innovations in cardiac and pulmonary surgery

Clinical Interests

  • Population-based observational studies (Outcomes Studies) related to the delivery of cardiac surgical care cardiac valve surgery emphasizing mitral and aortic valve reconstruction

  • Shared decision making between physician and patient

Programs

Overview

The Section prides itself on being an integral part of a multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of ischemic heart disease and valvular heart disease. This team combines the input of diagnostic and invasive cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery and affiliations with the Center for the Evaluative and Clinical Sciences at Dartmouth Medical School to offer patients a balanced assessment of risk and options when deciding about the treatment of acquired heart disease. The Section conducts extensive studies of the outcomes of coronary artery surgery and heart valve replacement and participates in a regional study of cardiovascular disease that has resulted in advances in risk assessment and decision making. With the integration of quality control measures borrowed from industry, the Section has positioned itself as a leader in evaluating system performance and designing and improving processes of patient flow.

Patients with thoracic malignancies also benefit from a multidisciplinary effort through Norris Cotton Cancer Center's Comprehensive Thoracic Oncology Program (CTOP). Through a weekly conference and combined clinics, this program utilizes the expertise of the Sections of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Pulmonary Medicine, Medical and Radiation Oncology, and Radiology in determining treatment options for all patients diagnosed with or suspected of having lung cancer.