Cardiothoracic surgery

Surgical treatments for problems in the heart, lungs and chest

St Vincent’s Private Hospitals offer a wide range of cardiothoracic related services, for details of the cardiothoracic services at your local St Vincent’s Private Hospital, click here.


Our hospitals provide people with heart and lung problems access to leading edge surgery

Cardiothoracic surgery is designed to solve problems that are affecting the working of your heart, lungs and chest.

Five St Vincent’s Private Hospitals have teams of highly skilled cardiac and cardiothoracic surgeons who are leaders in their field. They perform a wide range of procedures in state-of-the-art operating theatres.

We help people who are living with heart failure, heart valve conditions, cancer, blocked arteries, lung diseases and problems involving the chest wall.

Our surgeons

Many of Australia’s cardiac and cardiothoracic surgeons consult on site at a St Vincent’s Private Hospital or are located nearby. 

Our cardiothoracic surgeons, cardiologists, anaesthetists, perfusionists and intensive care physicians work together as a team to bring the most advanced cardiac care to those they care for and treat. 

Helping to ensure your full recovery at St Vincent’s is a team of specially qualified nurses and rehabilitation experts dedicated to your care.

They will work together as a team to meet your needs, keep you safe and help facilitate your return to activities.

Our Services

Please check your relevant hospital below for their specific services. **Not all services are available at all hospitals.

  • Coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG)
  • Repair and conservation of all 4 heart valves 
  • Surgery for cardiac arrhythmias, in particular, atrial fibrillation
  • Pacemaker insertions
  • Surgery for adult congenital heart defects
  • Heart transplants
  • Lung resections
  • Lung transplants
  • Treatment of chest wall deformities

Surgery for blocked arteries

Your surgeon may recommend a surgical procedure when the arteries around your heart become hardened or narrowed due to a build-up of plaque on the artery walls. The build-up stops your heart from efficiently pumping blood around your body. 

Left untreated, this can lead to chest pain (angina), a heart attack or heart failure. It can also cause your heart’s rhythm to change, causing an arrhythmia.

Our services
Nurses

Coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG)

Compared to procedures performed by cardiologists such as angioplasty and stents, coronary artery bypass graft surgery is a more invasive surgery. Your specialist can explain which procedure would be a better choice for you.

CABG is often recommended when most of your arteries are narrowed, if the blockage is in your left main coronary artery or if you have diabetes.

In a specially-equipped operating theatre, your surgeon will remove a healthy vein or artery from elsewhere in your body and use it to replace the blocked artery or arteries.

The surgery can relieve chest pain and reduce your risk of heart problems in the future.

Visit Cardiac Services

Disclaimer

This information is of a general nature, which may not be relevant to you. Any surgery or invasive procedure carries risk. We encourage you to speak with your doctor about your condition.

Find a hospital near you offering cardiothoracic surgery

At St Vincent’s Private Hospital East Melbourne, we are especially committed to delivering high quality, excellent care. We work in partnership with our patients and their families to take a compassionate and holistic approach to healthcare.

With a team of well-renowned cardiothoraic surgeons consulting onsite, all surgery is undertaken at St Vincent’s Private Hospital Fitzroy, located only 1km away.

Find details of our cardiothoraic surgeons here

​Contact Us
Pioneering heart and lung care
  • The only private hospital in Australia inserting left ventricular assist devices for end stage heart failure. 
  • We undertake over 60 double lung transplants every year, placing our campus in the top 5% in the world.
  • We pioneered robot-assisted coronary surgery
  • Surgery for heart failure. With our mechanical assist and transplant program we can undertake operations many hospitals cannot offer. Patients needing complex redo surgery, ventricular remodelling surgery and high-risk operations come to St Vincent’s. 
  • We are one of few private hospitals in NSW using ECMO temporary heart and lung assistance to support desperately unwell patients and aid in bridging them to recovery. 
Our heart services include:
  • Mitral valve, aortic valve and coronary artery bypass grafting
  • Robot assisted coronary surgery
  • Ventricular remodelling surgery
  • Pacemaker and automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator insertion
Our lung services include: 
  • Video assisted and robot assisted thoracic surgery
  • Cancer surgery of the chest
  • Complex mediastinal tumour surgery
Our fully-equipped operating suites are supported by dedicated cardiothoracic surgical teams. 
  • Hybrid operating theatre, with C-arm imaging for minimally-invasive, image-guided surgery
  • 12-bed intensive care unit
  • Dedicated cardiac ward where you’ll be strongly supported and monitored 
  • Access to a cardiac rehabilitation service
  • Strong partnership between cardiothoracic surgeons and cardiologists ensures seamless care.
Your GP can refer you to one of our cardiothoracic surgeons.

Find details of our cardiothoracic surgeons here

Contact Us
We specialise in cardiac surgery and cardiothoracic surgery treating people with advanced heart and lung disease. Our cardiac surgeons and cardiothoracic surgeons are experienced leaders in their field.

Our services include:
  • Adult congenital surgery
  • Aortic valve surgery
  • Aortic root surgery
  • Coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG)
  • Congenital surgery (certain anomalies)
  • Minimally-invasive surgery
  • Mitral valve repair
  • Mitral valve replacement
  • Surgical intervention for arrhythmia (atrial appendage/cox-maize)
  • Tricuspid valve surgery
  • Video-assisted thoracoscopy
  • Thoracotomy
  • Lobectomy
  • Pleurectomy
  • Pectus excavatum (chest wall deformity) repair
Your GP can refer you to one of our cardiothoracic surgeons.

Find details of our cardiothoracic surgeons here

Contact Us
For over 100 years, St Vincent's Private Hospital Melbourne has excelled in the delivery of quality patient care. We work in partnership with our patients and their families to take a compassionate and holistic approach to healthcare.

Our experienced team of clinical professionals, care givers and support staff are equipped to provide the highest level of therapeutic, medical and surgical services. We work together to ensure your safety, well-being and recovery.

Your GP can refer you to one of our cardiothoracic surgeons. 

​Contact Us
Through our experienced cardiothoracic surgical teams, we offer a comprehensive suite of both minimally invasive and traditional surgical approaches to advanced cardiac and thoracic surgical procedures. 

Our fully equipped operating suites are supported by cardiothoracic surgical teams, composed of highly experienced, skilled staff who practice across both major teaching and private health facilities.

Cardiothoracic procedures and surgical treatments include:
  • Coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG)
  • Valve repair and replacement
  • Insertion of pacemaker and defibrillators
  • Thoracic surgery
Following your cardiothoracic surgery you’ll be supported by a 12 bed intensive care unit (ICU) with intensive care consultants available 24/7 alongside specially trained intensive care nurses. Once you’re well enough to leave ICU, you’ll be transferred to the Hutchinson ward, a 21-bed unit that offers 10 monitored beds in case you require an on-going higher level of care. Despite its sophistication and technology, you’ll be made to feel comfortable in the Hutchinson ward where you can expect to be treated with respect, dignity and compassion.

Your GP can refer you to one of our cardiothoracic surgeons.

Find details of our cardiothoraic specialists here

Contact Us

Better and fairer care. Always.

In a rapidly transforming world, St Vincent's has created a refreshed vision and strategy to help shape Australia's health and aged care future.