Cardiothoracic Surgery

When a heart or lung condition requires a surgical approach, staying close to home and family can make a world of difference in recovery. At Reid Health, the cardiothoracic surgery team provides the high-quality outcomes and safety you expect from a leading heart center, right here in Richmond.

Our convenient, expert cardiothoracic surgery (CTS) program provides local access to people in East Central Indiana and West Central Ohio, so you don't have to travel an hour or more to receive specialized surgical care. By choosing Reid, you have easy access to experts and more one-on-one interaction with a team that knows you by name. 

Conditions treated with cardiothoracic surgery

Cardiothoracic surgery focuses on the organs and structures inside the chest, primarily the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels. While some issues can be managed with medication, surgery is sometimes the best path to restore blood flow or repair a vital valve. Whenever possible, our surgeons use minimally invasive surgical techniques. 

Our surgeons treat a broad range of conditions, but two conditions that commonly benefit from cardiothoracic surgery include:

Coronary artery disease: A buildup of plaque in the heart's arteries that can lead to heart attacks.

Valve disease: When the heart's valves do not open or close properly, affecting blood flow 

Advanced surgical procedures at Reid

The Heart & Vascular Center team performs various traditional and specialized procedures to improve heart and lung function. We prioritize safety and quality outcomes in every case.

Key procedures include: 

• Aortic and mitral valve repair or replacement: Cardiothoracic surgeons repair or replace damaged aortic valves and mitral valves to ensure the heart pumps efficiently.
• Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG): Often called bypass surgery, this procedure creates a new path for blood to flow around blocked heart arteries.
• Lung surgery: These procedures treat lung disease or remove masses within the chest.
• Maze procedure: This specialized surgery treats serious heart rhythm issues by creating a “maze” of scar tissue that directs electrical signals correctly. 

Your journey to recovery: what to expect

We believe in a multidisciplinary approach to care. Your primary provider, cardiologist, and pulmonologist work closely with our cardiothoracic surgeons to coordinate every step of your plan. To ensure you never feel alone, our navigators track your progress and answer questions from your first consultation through discharge. 

Your hospital stay and beyond

You should expect to spend at least three to five days in the hospital following surgery. During this time, your entire care team closely monitors your recovery and provides the resources you need to transition safely back home.

As you prepare to leave the hospital, we work with you to design a personalized plan for the next phase of your healing, which often includes cardiac rehabilitation. 

Seamless support: integrated cardiopulmonary rehab

At Reid Health, your care is integrated in one place to ensure a smooth transition from the hospital to our in-house Pritikin Intensive Cardiac Rehab program. Having your surgeons, specialists, and rehab experts in the same building means your recovery is never fragmented; it is a single, continuous journey managed by a team that already knows your history. 

This program provides a personalized roadmap to health through:

• Monitored exercise: Targeted sessions are designed to safely strengthen your heart and lungs.
• Comprehensive education: Guidance on nutrition and lifestyle helps protect your health for the future.
• Clinical oversight: A team of specialists works together to track your progress and adjust your plan as needed.