Cardiothoracic Surgery

Offering a multi-specialty approach to the treatment of lung and esophageal cancers, the HVI’s thoracic surgery department is ranked as the busiest in the state.

Because appropriate treatment of these diseases may involve chemotherapy, radiation, surgery or a combination, Saint Joseph’s convenes a multi-specialty team to review each patient case and recommend an individualized plan of care.

HVI’s thoracic surgeons specialize in minimally invasive approaches to treatment of complex cases, including:

• Video-assisted laparascopic lung resection 
• Photodynamic therapy, offering a non-operative approach to early stage obstructive lung and esophageal cancers

Most post-operative care for thoracic patients is provided in the HVI’s  Saint Joseph’s Hospital Progressive Care Unit (PCU). Patients are attended by a team of nurses, respiratory therapists, physical therapists, pain management specialists and other professionals specially-trained in this field of medicine.  

The PCU often allows patients to bypass a stay in the intensive care unit, while offering full the advantages of low nurse-to-patient ratios and advanced monitoring capabilities in an atmosphere conducive to the healing process. As a result of this dedicated, multi-specialty care, HVI’s thoracic patients experience faster recoveries, averaging shorter lengths of stay than the national average.

For more information on the Heart & Vascular Institute, call 678-843-7120. To find a physician, call 678-843-7312.