Updated June 23, 2014.

Definition:

Pertaining to the heart and chest. Cardiothoracic surgery is surgery in the area of the heart and chest or both. A cardiothoracic surgeon is qualified to operate on the heart, areas of the chest and in some cases, the lungs.

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Pronunciation: car-DEE-o thor-ass-ick

Also Known As: heart-lung, heart and lung, chest surgeon, cardiac, thoracic,

Common Misspellings: cardiotheracic, cardiothorasik, cardiothorasic

Examples: Before having the surgery on her heart she consulted several well known cardiothoracic surgeons.