Overview
UAB is the region's most comprehensive and advanced healthcare facility for treating cardiovascular and thoracic disorders.
Here, some of the world's most sought-after and experienced surgeons operate in state-of-the-art facilities, backed by nationally recognized nursing care. UAB's cardiothoracic surgeons include respected pioneers in their fields, as well as leading researchers and innovators in essentially all areas of pediatric and adult cardiothoracic surgery.
UAB is a national leader in the following areas of cardiothoracic surgery:
- Heart and lung transplantation
- Minimally invasive thoracic surgery
- Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery
- Lung and esophageal cancer surgery
- Cardiothoracic surgery for neonates, infants, children and adults
- Heart valve repair or replacement and surgical treatment of other valvular heart diseases
- Diseases of the thoracic aorta
- The use of ventricular assist devices as a bridge or ultimate therapy for end-stage heart disease.
UAB is also the only facility in the state performing heart and lung transplantation, complex mechanical circulatory support, complex neonatal and infant heart surgery, and complex airway reconstructions.
But, beyond the technology and experience is a staff committed to healing and fully recognizing each patient's unique needs. There is a one-to-one nurse-patient ratio for pediatric and cardiac transplantation patients and a one-to-two nurse-patient ratio maintained for all other cardiac intensive care unit patients.
The recently enhanced neonate, infant and pediatric cardiothoracic surgery program truly makes UAB a national leader in cardiothoracic care for patients of all ages.
Scope of Services
UAB's Cardiothoracic Surgery Services provides surgical options not available elsewhere in the region and programs considered among the most respected in the world. The division has a long history of excellence and performs about 2,000 open heart procedures alone each year and has performed about 45,000 such operations since 1966.
The department has implanted over 170 ventricular assist devices either as a bridge to cardiac transplantation or as a permanent solution to severe heart failure.
Among the complete range of cardiovascular and thoracic disorders treated are coronary artery disease; valvular heart disease; congenital heart disease; acute and chronic diseases of the thoracic aorta; various kinds of pulmonary disease; lung cancer; emphysema; esophageal disease; diseases of the mediastinum pleura, chest wall esophagus and diaphragm; end stage heart and lung disease.
Clinic Location
Care is provided in the UAB Medical District in the Cardiology Clinic on the fourth floor of The Kirklin Clinic.
Appointment/Referral Information
To make an appointment or referral, please contact UAB HealthFinder.