Please note that letters submitted to the Your Comments section are limited to 500 words. The authors of the original publication will be given the opportunity to respond to your comments. However, these changes create tremendous opportunity to broaden our skills and scope of practice.

Many see these changes as a threat to the stature and viability of cardiothoracic surgery. If you wish to comment on an article in this section, click on the Your Comments tab to send your letter directly to the Editor-in-Chief. Cardiothoracic surgery is undergoing major changes related to evolving technology, changes in the educational paradigm and evolution of health care policy. You are welcome to provide commentary and discuss any of the published articles through the Your Comments section, which will be available for public viewing. Our surgeons are skilled in all aspects of cardiothoracic surgery and have particular expertise in a number of complex operations, including heart valve. First opened in 1994, our skilled surgeons have performed more than 5,000 open-heart procedures. We publish original scientific reports of clinical research, including randomized controlled trials, prospective studies and institutional or multi-institutional reports, and basic science research. Cardiothoracic surgery includes open-heart surgeries such as heart bypass and valve replacement as well as minimally invasive, robotic-assisted procedures on the heart, lungs and other organs in the chest. Heritage Valley Health System’s Cardiovascular Surgery program is one of the most comprehensive heart health programs in the region. The Annals of Cardiothoracic Surgery is an international peer-review journal that keeps cardiothoracic surgeons up to date with advances in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular and thoracic diseases.

Types of cardiothoracic surgery