Cardiothoracic surgeons are medical doctors who specialize in surgeries of the heart, lungs, and other organs in the chest. They provide diagnostic, therapeutic, and surgical treatments for a wide range of conditions, including congenital heart defects, coronary artery disease, heart valve disorders, lung cancer, and aortic aneurysms. Cardiothoracic surgeons assess patients' medical histories and conduct physical exams and order and interpret diagnostic tests such as chest X-rays, CT scans, and echocardiograms, perform invasive diagnostic procedures, such as biopsies and angiograms and perform complex open-heart surgeries, such as coronary artery bypass surgery and valve repair/replacement. Finally, they manage patients' pain and comfort before/, during and after surgery and montior their progress and manage any complications that arise. The goal of a cardiothoracic surgeon is to improve patients' cardiovascular health, relieve symptoms, and restore their quality of life through surgery.

To become a cardiothoracic surgeon in Miami, the doctor needs to get a bachelor's degree. They then need to complete medical school and earn a Doctor of Medicine(MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine(DO) degree. Once that is done, they need to spend 5 years to finish the general surgery residency and then the doctor needs to complete a two to three-year fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery. They then need to pass a certification exam to get a license to practice medicine and get a board certification from the American Board of Thoracic Surgery to begin practicing medicine. The entire process can take around 15-20 years of education and training after high school.

A good cardiothoracic surgeon should possess several key qualities and qualifications: most important of all they need to have technical skills and be able to perform complex surgical procedures with precision and confidence, they should also have a strong understand of patient conditions and be able to make informed and appropriate treatment decisions. Ultimately experience is everything in this field, so you'll want someone who has lots of surgeries under their belt with a good track record.

Below you'll find doctors we consider to be the best cardiothoracic surgeons in Miami.