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The Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery is a recognized leader in heart, lung and esophagus surgery. Our experience with complex cardiothoracic issues and knowledge of the latest advances have helped to establish NewYork-Presbyterian|Weill Cornell Medicine as a major referral center for cardiovascular and thoracic patients from around the world.

Cardiac Surgery

The Division of Cardiac Surgery provides expert care to patients who need:

  • Coronary artery bypass surgery
  • Valve repair/replacement
  • Surgery for adult congenital heart disease
  • Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery
  • Ventricular Assist Devices (VADs)
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Cardiac Surgery team

Thoracic Surgery

The Division of Thoracic Surgery offers the most advanced surgical care for:

  • Lung and esophageal cancers
  • Emphysema
  • Hyperhidrosis
  • Hiatal hernia
  • Pericardial & Pleural Effusions
  • Thoracentesis
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Thoracic Surgery team

Why Choose Weill Cornell?

NewYork-Presbyterian & Weill Cornell Medicine - Cardiothoracic Surgery

New Advances

WCM Redefines Lung Cancer Treatment with Streamlined Diagnosis and Surgery

Dr. Eugene Shostak.    jonathan villena-vargas, thoracic surgery, lung cancer surgeon 

For patients diagnosed with early-stage lung cancer, the journey from detection to treatment has traditionally been a prolonged and intricate process. However, Weill Cornell Medicine has introduced an innovative approach that is streamlining the field of lung cancer care. Led by thoracic surgeon Dr. Jonathan Villena-Vargas and interventional pulmonologist Dr. Eugene Shostak, this innovative technique aims to simplify the diagnosis and surgical treatment of lung tumors, providing patients with a more efficient and effective healthcare experience.

The new combined procedure, offers a comprehensive and integrated approach to lung cancer management. By combining cutting-edge technology, unified anesthetic administration, and seamless diagnostic and surgical capabilities, patients now benefit from a rational pathway that consolidates multiple procedures into a single session.

Click here to learn more. 

Doing More With Less in Lung Cancer Surgery

Patients with stage 1A non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who undergo surgery to remove a small portion of their lung have outcomes comparable to patients who have surgery removing an entire lobe, according to recent study results. Read More

Lung-Sparing Surgery Is Effective for Some with Early-Stage Lung Cancer

Nasser Altorki, MD

When lung cancer is found early, before it has spread beyond the lungs, people usually have surgery to remove the tumor. For more than 25 years, the standard of surgical care for such patients—even those with very small tumors—has been to remove the entire large section, or lobe, of the lung that contains the tumor. This is done to reduce the chances of the cancer coming back.

But some lung surgeons have suggested that certain patients may do just as well or even better with an operation to remove only part of the affected lobe.

Now, results of a large international clinical trial show that, for certain people with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), surgery to remove a piece of the affected lobe is as effective as surgery to remove the whole lobe.

Cardiac Surgical Complications: Strategic Analysis and Clinical Review

Cardiac Surgical Complications

Cardiac Surgical Complications: Strategic Analysis and Clinical Review provides a practically applicable guide on how to successfully resolve and mitigate potential complications in cardiac surgery. This book comprehensively reviews a selection of cases resulting from complications that can occur in cardiac surgical procedures. It details the science behind each potential complication along with a range of available strategies to rectify the issues, including those applicable to minimally invasive techniques.

Click here to learn more about Dr. Sandhya Balaram and Dr. Levi Bassin's new book. 

Clinical Trials

The Cardiothoracic Surgery Department conducts a robust clinical trials program to evaluate the effectiveness of new treatments and medications that have the potential to improve the management of patients with heart, lung, and esophageal disease. The outcomes of heart, lung, and esophageal operations can be improved with technical innovations.

Current Clinical Trials

 

US News Cardiology & Heart Surgery Badge Best regional hospital 2022                       

Ranked #4 in Adult Cardiology & Heart Surgery Hospital in the nation and #1 in NYC by U.S. News and World Report

Ranked #1 in Best Regional Hospitals in U.S. News

          

      America's 50 best cardiac surgery 2021-2023              America's 100 best cardiac care 2022-2023

America’s 50 Best Hospitals for Cardiac Surgery Award™ by Healthgrade

America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Cardiac Care Award™ by Healthgrade