Cardiothoracic Surgery refers to operations that treat diseases affecting the heart (cardio) and lungs (thoracic).

Physicians in this specialty treat patients suffering from numerous diseases and illnesses, but some of the most common are Mesothelioma, lung cancer, Congenital heart disease, lung disease, pectus excavatum, thymoma, Aortic aneurysm, cardiovascular disease, Esophageal carcinoma, Pulmonary metastases, Chest wall tumors, esophageal diseases, Tracheal tumors, Malignant pleural effusions, and thoracic neoplasms.

Once properly diagnosed, practitioners can perform numerous procedures on patients including Lobectomy, Mediastinoscopy, mitral valve replacement, lung transplantation, Ventricular assist device, lung volume reduction, Aortic dissection, Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG), Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery, Mitral valve repair, Heart Transplantation, Miniminally invasive surgery (MIS), Ventricular Restoration (Dor Procedure), Video-assisted thoracoscopy (VATS), Bullectomy, arrhythmia surgery, and thoracic aorta repairs.

To diagnose patients with possible illnesses and diseases, specialists will often perform one of many tests including biopsy, x-ray, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), Upper GI (Barium Swallow), Computed Axial Tomography (CT or CAT Scan), and physicial examination.

Doctor density varies by specialty and location. Delaware has 27 practicing cardiothoracic surgeons. Broken out by city, cardiothoracic surgery doctor density in Dover is 6, in Lewes is 4, in Milford is 1, in Millsboro is 1, in Millville is 2, in Newark is 14, in Seaford is 1, in Smyrna is 11, and in Wilmington is 4.

Delaware, located on the Atlantic Ocean, was the first state to ratify the constitution of the United States in 1787. Delaware’s population is 843,524, and its capital city is Dover. In Wilmington, visit the Grand Opera House or the Old Town Hall Museum built in 1798, or the Abbott’s Mill Nature Center in Milford. Drive to the Atlantic shore, or go bird-watching, fishing, hiking, biking, or canoeing in Delaware’s extensive park and trail systems. Dover is home to parks, historic museums, clubs, theater and dance, and offers bargain-hunting at tax-free outlet stores and antiques shops.

According to 2005 Census estimates, Delaware has a population of 843,524. Of this population, 189,940 are under the age of 18 and 111,761 are at or above the age of 65.