Patient Care

The cardiothoracic surgery team at the University of Colorado provides comprehensive, advanced care for adult patients with aortic and major vessel disease. Our surgeons perform the full spectrum of cardiac procedures — from minimally invasive approaches to the most complex open‑heart operations — to treat both acquired and congenital conditions.

We specialize in repairing or replacing diseased heart valves, restoring blood flow through coronary artery bypass grafting, treating structural heart disease, inserting mechanical support devices such as ventricular assist devices, and performing heart transplantation. Our multidisciplinary approach ensures each patient receives precise diagnosis, individualized treatment planning, and seamless coordination across specialties.

Comprehensive Aortic Program

Our Comprehensive Aortic Program brings together experts in cardiothoracic surgery, vascular surgery, cardiology, radiology, and additional specialties to deliver leading‑edge care for aortic disease. We use state‑of‑the‑art imaging, surgical innovations, and minimally invasive endovascular techniques to:

• Improve diagnostic accuracy
• Reduce recovery time
• Optimize long‑term outcomes for patients with simple to highly complex aortic conditions

Robotic Cardiac Surgery Program

Our Robotic Cardiac Surgery Program offers minimally invasive options for both mitral valve repair and coronary artery bypass surgery. By operating through small incisions rather than opening the breastbone, patients experience less pain, fewer restrictions, and significantly shorter hospital stays. Our current length‑of‑stay data shows a running average of 3–4 days for both robotic mitral valve repair and robotic CABG.

These advanced techniques provide enhanced 3D visualization and precise instrument control, helping our team deliver safe, effective care with faster recovery.

Conditions We Treat & Procedures We Offer

Aortic Surgery

• Aortic Aneurysm Repair
• Aortic Dissection Repair

Coronary & Structural Heart Surgery

• Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) for coronary artery disease
• Heart Valve Repair and Replacement, including minimally invasive options
• TAVR (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement) — see Heart Valve section

Advanced Heart Failure & Transplant

• Advanced Heart Failure Surgery
• Ventricular Assist Devices (VADs) — see Advanced Heart Failure Surgery section
• Heart Transplantation — see Advanced Heart Failure Surgery section

Rhythm & Thromboembolic Disease

• Maze Procedure for atrial fibrillation
• Pulmonary Thromboendarterectomy (PTE)

The thoracic surgery team at the University of Colorado provides comprehensive, advanced care for adult patients with conditions affecting the lungs, esophagus, airway, chest wall, diaphragm and mediastinum. Our surgeons perform the full spectrum of thoracic procedures — from minimally invasive and robotic techniques to complex open operations — for both cancer and non-cancer conditions.

We specialize in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of lung cancer, cancers spread to the lungs, esophageal cancer and non-cancerous disease, mediastinal and chest wall tumors, chest wall diseases, airway disorders, and advanced lung disease, including lung transplants and lung volume reduction surgery. Our multidisciplinary approach ensures each patient receives precise diagnosis, individualized treatment planning, and seamless coordination across specialties.

Robotic Thoracic Surgery Program

Our Robotic Thoracic Surgery Program is the highest-volume thoracic robotic surgical program in the Mountain West, offering advanced, minimally invasive approaches for complex airway surgery, diagnostic lung biopsies, segmentectomies, lobectomies, mediastinal lymph node sampling, and removal of mediastinal tumors. Robotic systems give surgeons a high-definition, magnified 3D view and translate their hand movements into precise instrument control — resulting in less pain, faster mobility, and a quicker return to daily life for patients.

Lung Transplant Program

Our Lung Transplant Program offers comprehensive evaluation and surgical care for patients with advanced lung disease, including lung transplantation and lung volume reduction surgery, backed by a dedicated multidisciplinary transplant team.

Chest Wall Disease Management Clinic

Our Chest Wall Disease Management Clinic provides multidisciplinary care for adults with congenital and acquired chest wall disorders, including pectus excavatum, pectus carinatum, chest wall tumors, thoracic outlet syndrome, and other complex conditions. The clinic offers comprehensive evaluation, advanced minimally invasive and reconstructive surgical options—including the Nuss procedure when appropriate—and coordinated care from diagnosis through long-term follow-up.

Multidisciplinary Thoracic Care

Many patients are evaluated through our Multidisciplinary Clinics, where thoracic surgeons, oncologists, radiologists, pulmonologists, and pathologists collaborate in a single visit to build a personalized treatment plan. This means faster answers, fewer appointments, and a comprehensive, coordinated plan built around your specific diagnosis and goals.

Conditions We Treat & Procedures We Offer

Lung & Pleural Disease

• Lung Cancer, Pulmonary Nodules and Cancer Spread to the Lungs (Lung Resection and Staging Procedures)
• Infectious and Benign Lung Disease (Lung Resection and Lung Biopsy)
• Mesothelioma
• Pleural Disease, Effusion and Spontaneous Pneumothorax
• Lung Transplantation and Lung Volume Reduction

Esophageal Disease

• Esophageal Cancer
• GERD, Hiatal (Paraesophageal) Hernias, Achalasia and Zenker’s Diverticulum

Airway Disorders

• Airway Stenosis (Narrowing) and Tumors
• Tracheal & Bronchial Surgery and Airway Reconstruction
• Tracheobronchomalacia/Excessive Dynamic Airway Collapse

Chest Wall & Mediastinal Conditions

• Mediastinal Tumor Surgery (Thymoma, Schwannoma and Other Mediastinal Masses)
• Myasthenia Gravis (Treated with Thymectomy)
• Chest Wall Tumor Resection and Reconstruction
• Chest Wall Deformity Surgery (Pectus Excavatum and Pectus Carinatum)
• Hyperhidrosis (Treated with Sympathectomy) and Chronic Abdominal Pain (Treated with Splanchnicectomy)
• Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Surgical Approach

Minimally invasive options including robotic-assisted thoracic surgery and Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS).

→ Visit Our Full Thoracic Surgery Program
See our providers, patient resources, patient stories and full range of surgical services.

The section of Pediatric (or “Congenital”) Cardio-Vascular Surgery is dedicated to providing comprehensive surgical services to infants with cardio-vascular defects and congenital heart conditions. The faculty physicians in the section of pediatric cardio-vascular surgery are experts in a wide range of conditions including: Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return, Atrioventricular Septal Defect (AVSD), Heart Transplant, Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, Tetrology of Fallot, and Transposition of the Great Arteries.

Types of Surgery

• Adult Congenital Heart Disease
• Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return
• Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)
• Coarctation of the Aorta
• Complex Single Ventricle
• Ebstein's Anomaly
• Heart Transplant
• Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome
• Mitral Valve Prolapse
• Patent Ductus Arteriosus
• Pulmonary Atresia
• Pulmonary Stenosis
• Tetralogy of Fallot
• Transposition of the Great Arteries
• Tricuspid Atresia
• Truncus Arteriosus
• Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD)

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