Cardiothoracic Surgery

 
The current cardiothoracic surgical service is based in the University Hospital of Wales and provides a full range of tertiary care to patients from across the South East Wales region. There are presently six Consultant Surgeons of whom four perform cardiac surgery only, one performs thoracic surgery only and one undertakes both cardiac and thoracic operations. The centre is funded to undertake 1,100 cardiac operations per year.

 

The team also consists of Clinical Scientists from Perfusion Services, the three Cardiac Operating Theatres (9, 10 and 11), and the Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit (C3-ITU). Successful new initiatives include a Pre-admission Assessment Clinic which is run by specialist nurse practitioners and specialist surgical assistants. 
 

The service has access to 3 dedicated cardiothoracic theatres as above, 8 Intensive care beds, 5 High Dependency beds, and 37 ward beds. The unit undertakes all types of adult cardiac surgery including off-pump coronary surgery, complex mitral valve surgery, minimally invasive cardiac surgery & major surgery on the thoracic aorta including endovascular procedures and surgery for some adults with congenital heart disease. There is no transplantation service and no plans to develop one, although temporary mechanical circulatory support is provided bridging to recovery or definitive treatment.