The Cardiothoracic Surgical Program provides a broad spectrum of advanced surgical care and maintains one of the region's top-tier programs.

Coronary bypass procedures are generally performed without the heart lung machine using new off-pump techniques, which use stabilizing devices for single-or multi-vessel bypass surgery while the heart is beating, allowing natural blood flow. There is an emphasis on arterial grafting for longer patency. This option may reduce the risk of stroke and the need for blood transfusion. Kidney and lung complications may be less frequent using the off-pump technique.

Heart valve surgical procedures include repair or replacement using mechanical, tissue, or human valves. A new technology used in conjunction with valve repair at Hahnemann is the Maze procedure, which surgically treats AF by interrupting the circular electrical patterns. Modifications of the Maze procedure using radiofrequency make it faster and easier to perform.

Some cardiac procedures may use a minimally invasive technique known as "keyhole" surgery, which requires only small incisions and promote faster recovery. Rather than opening the chest, surgeons use highly specialized equipment to perform complicated operations through the keyhole incisions. Current techniques include port access, minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB), less invasive sternal approach (LISA), and minimal access surgery (MACS). These approaches are particularly advantageous for mitral valve repair and closer of atrial septal defects.

Hahnemann is also one of only a few sites that offers laser transmyocardial revascularization, (TMR). This procedure may be available for severe angina patients whose arteries are not suitable for bypass. Small channels are produced through the outside heart wall to increase blood flow.

Many patients may avoid transplantation by use of ventricular remodeling operations (the DOR procedure), which is routinely performed at Hahnemann.

In addition to cardiac surgery, cardiothoracic surgeons play a vital role in the diagnosis, staging, and treatment of patients with lung cancer, including thoracotomy, pneumonectomy, lobectomy, wedge resections, mediastinoscopy/bronchoscopy, and video-assisted thorascopy.