Cardiothoracic Conditions

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Cardiothoracic conditions that affect the heart, lungs and chest are often complex and treatments require a high level of expertise. Overlake is home to some of the region’s top cardiothoracic surgeons, giving you the best opportunity for a good result. We perform hundreds of cardiothoracic surgical procedures every year. Patients across our region with complex and common cardiothoracic conditions choose our Cardiothoracic Surgery Program for our exceptional patient outcomes and advanced cardiothoracic surgical treatments.

Heart conditions we treat

We offer comprehensive care for conditions that affect the heart, such as:

  • Aortic aneurysm: A weak section of the aorta (the body’s largest blood vessel) bulges, putting you at risk for a life-threatening rupture. 
  • Aortic dissection: A tear in the inner layer of the aorta causes other layers to separate. An aortic dissection may lead to a life-threatening aortic rupture.
  • Arrhythmias and atrial fibrillation: Arrhythmias are when a change in the heart’s electrical signals causes the heart to beat too fast or too slow. Atrial fibrillation occurs when the heart’s upper chambers beat out of rhythm with the lower chambers. 
  • Coronary artery disease: Fat and cholesterol deposits (plaque) build up in the coronary arteries that supply blood to your heart. A blocked coronary artery can cause a heart attack. 
  • Heart valve disease, including valve regurgitation and stenosis: Valve regurgitation occurs when a heart valve doesn't close properly or bulges (prolapses), allowing blood to flow into heart chambers where it doesn’t belong. Valve stenosis is a narrowed or stiff heart valve that doesn’t fully open to allow adequate blood flow to the heart. 
  • Septal defects (holes in the heart): A hole in the wall that separates the heart’s upper chambers (atrial septal defect) or lower chambers (ventricular septal defect) allows blood that doesn’t have oxygen to mix with blood that does have oxygen. This causes the heart and lungs to work harder and damages the lungs’ pulmonary arteries.
  • Ventricular aneurysm: A weak spot develops in the muscle of the heart. This weak area often develops after a heart attack and may bulge or form scar tissue. A ventricular aneurysm increases the risk of heart failure and stroke-causing blood clots.
  • Cardiac tumors: An abnormal growth of tissue forms in the heart. Heart tumors may be cancerous (malignant) or not cancerous (benign). Even noncancerous heart tumors may need surgical treatment.

Thoracic conditions we treat

Our team offers comprehensive treatment of benign and malignant disorders of the chest. Through partnership with Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, we offer a broad range of treatment options for lung cancer, including surgical removal, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Your case will be discussed with a multidisciplinary team to help decide which treatment is right for you. Our surgeons offer both open and minimally invasive techniques for the removal of lung cancer. 

In addition to lung cancer, we treat tumors of the chest outside the lung, chest infections, pneumothorax, and fluid buildup. We offer minimally invasive surgery whenever possible.