Cardiothoracic Surgery
Trusted experts provide routine and advanced surgical care for your lungs, heart, chest and esophagus. Our commitment to cardiovascular surgery excellence has earned our program national recognition.
Medically reviewed by Bob Kiaii, M.D. on Dec. 12, 2023.
Nationally Recognized Heart Surgery
Cardiothoracic surgery treats problems in your thoracic (chest) cavity, especially your heart. One common type is cardiovascular surgery, which uses a variety of techniques to improve blood flow to your heart. Another common type is surgeries on the heart valves and the aorta.
At UC Davis Health, you receive care from a team of experts that use sophisticated techniques and maintain exceptional outcomes. We are the only cardiothoracic surgery program in the region whose clinical care and research have a worldwide impact. Our surgeons are often among the first to offer new care methods.
Our commitment to heart care excellence helps us consistently rank among the nation’s best, according to U.S. News & World Report.
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Types of Heart Surgery
Experts at UC Davis Health use innovative techniques to help you reach your care goals. Many patients are eligible for minimally invasive cardiothoracic robotic surgery. We use tiny incisions and special technology to carry out complex heart procedures with a high degree of precision.
Aortic Surgery
We repair aorta issues, like dissections and aneurysms, that affect your body’s largest artery. Procedures may reinforce weakened blood vessel walls or fix narrowing and blockages.
Advanced Heart Failure Therapy
If you have heart failure, we implant devices that take over your heart’s pumping action. You may benefit from a ventricular assist device (VAD). Our VAD program maintains The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval™ for delivering state-of-the-art care.
Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG)
Surgeons use a healthy vessel from another body area to reroute blood flow around a blocked artery. UC Davis Health offers robotic-assisted coronary bypass, which uses special technology and tiny incisions to carry out the procedure.
Pacemaker and Implantable Defibrillator Procedures
We implant devices such as pacemakers that help your heart maintain a steady rhythm. After surgery, arrhythmia specialists adjust the settings to your unique needs.
Surgery for Structural Heart Disease
These procedures may be right for you if you have heart valves that are worn out or leaky (structural heart disease). Heart valve repair and replacement services also include minimally invasive robotic approaches and transcatheter approaches, in which we deliver treatments using a long, thin tube.
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Preparing for Heart Surgery
If cardiothoracic surgery is right for you, we coordinate the services that help you have a successful procedure and recovery. Learn more about hospitalization and evaluation.
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Before Heart Surgery
You undergo a comprehensive evaluation to ensure you are healthy enough for surgery. The results help us plan your procedure. You may need blood work, advanced imaging or other tests.
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During Heart Surgery
We use minimally invasive techniques whenever possible. But if a conventional open-chest procedure is necessary, you still receive the best available care. Our experts successfully treat the region’s most complex cases.
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After Heart Surgery
You may need to stay in the hospital for up to a week after your procedure. Our team checks on you regularly to ensure your comfort and help your recovery stay on track.
After Cardiac Surgery
Cardiothoracic surgery is one of the many ways we optimize your heart health. Our team is with you during recovery and provides ongoing services that help you feel your best for years to come.
Recovering at Home
When you get home from the hospital, rest is essential. You can expect to gradually resume daily activities over a period of weeks.
Cardiac Rehabilitation (Rehab)
We may recommend cardiac rehab after specific types of surgery, like heart vessel bypass procedures and heart valve repair or replacement. This supervised exercise and coaching program helps you safely start a physical activity program and learn other healthy lifestyle habits.
Follow-Up Care
You may face a lifetime risk of heart issues, even with successful surgery. Heart and vascular specialists help you stay as healthy as possible with monitoring and additional therapies if you need them.
Awards and Recognitions
Ranked among the nation’s best hospitals
A U.S. News & World Report best hospital in cancer, cardiology, heart & vascular surgery, diabetes & endocrinology, ENT, geriatrics, neurology & neurosurgery, orthopedics, and pulmonology & lung surgery.
Ranked among the nation’s best children’s hospitals
U.S. News & World Report ranked UC Davis Children’s Hospital among the best in neonatology, nephrology, orthopedics*, pediatric & adolescent behavioral health, and pulmonology & lung surgery. (*Together with Shriners Children’s Northern California)
Ranked Sacramento’s #1 hospital
Ranked Sacramento’s #1 hospital by U.S. News, and high-performing in back surgery, COPD, colon cancer surgery, gynecological cancer surgery, heart attack, heart failure, hip fracture, kidney failure, leukemia, lymphoma & myeloma, lung cancer surgery, pneumonia, prostate cancer surgery, stroke, TAVR, and gastroenterology & GI surgery.
The nation’s highest nursing honor
UC Davis Medical Center has received Magnet® recognition, the nation’s highest honor for nursing excellence.
World-class cancer care
One of ~56 U.S. cancer centers designated “comprehensive” by the National Cancer Institute.
A leader in health care equality
For the 13th consecutive year, UC Davis Medical Center has been recognized as an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader by the educational arm of America’s largest civil rights organization.
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