Cardiothoracic Surgery Program

The University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington, VT, offers a wide range of cardiothoracic surgery treatments for chest and heart diseases, including bypass surgery, valve replacement and repair and thoracic aortic aneurysm surgery. Our experienced medical group has performed thousands of life-saving cardiothoracic surgeries throughout its substantial history, dating back to the 1950s.

Cardiothoracic Surgery: What You Need to Know

Our team includes four board-certified cardiothoracic surgeons and dedicated support staff-including three physician assistants, two nurse practitioners, a nurse clinician and a hard-working and devoted office staff-all dedicated to providing the highest possible quality of cardiothoracic surgery care to our patients.

Our cardiothoracic surgery specialists treat a variety of heart-and chest-related diseases through advanced techniques and procedures:

• Adult cardiac pathology
• Advanced, minimally invasive heart valve surgery for aortic valve, mitral valve and thoracic aortic aneurysm
• Aneurysms of the thoracic aorta
• Bypass surgery
• Diseases involving the lungs, mediastinum, esophagus and chest wall
• Heart valve replacement and repair
• Limited pediatric abnormalities
• Surgical repair of complex chest and abdominal aneurysms
• Surgical treatment of heart rhythm disorders

Cardiothoracic Surgery Research

Many cardiothoracic laboratory and clinical research projects are performed in collaboration with The UVM Medical Center Cardiology department. Our team is investigating a model for thoracic aortic trauma, cerebral perfusion during cardiopulmonary bypass and factors affecting the longevity of both venous and arterial grafts, a model that increases patient outcomes long-term.

The cardiothoracic surgery department is a founding member of the Northern New England Cardiovascular Research Group. The UVM Medical Center has participated in a myriad of clinical projects that have led to a progressive decrease in cardiac surgical morbidity and mortality. The Northern New England group now has one of the largest databases for cardiothoracic surgery in the United States.

Learn More About Cardiothoracic Surgery

Explore this site for more information about our comprehensive care, or call The UVM Medical Center Cardiothoracic Surgery at 802-847-4152, Monday through Friday, 8 am - 5 pm.

Learn more about all of The UVM Medical Center's comprehensive surgical services.

Cardiothoracic Surgery Services

• Coronary artery bypass grafting
• Valvular replacement and repair
• Resection of aortic and thoracoabdominal aneurysms
• Surgery for atrial arrhythmias
• Limited pediatric cardiac surgery
• Evaluation and treatment of both benign and malignant pulmonary tumors
• Evaluation and treatment of mediastinal and esophageal pathology
• Treatment of chest wall abnormalities
• Management and treatment of traumatic cardiac and thoracic injuries

Thoracic Aorta Aneurysm

The UVM Medical Center has a team of specialists from Cardiothoracic Surgery, Radiology, Cardiology and Vascular Surgery dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment and long-term follow-up of patients with diseases of the thoracic aorta.

The thoracic aorta is a section of the aorta, the largest artery in the body, within the chest. It supplies oxygenated blood to the chest cage and the organs within the chest. Conditions include:

• Thoracic aortic aneurysmal disease
• Dissections
• Connective tissue disorders
• Congenital abnormalities
• Traumatic injuries

Heart Rhythm Disorders

The group also offers surgical treatment for acute atrial arrhythmias — or severe heart rhythm disorders. This surgery is called the Maze procedure and can be performed as either an isolated operation or in conjunction with valvular or bypass surgery.