Department of Cardiovascular Surgery

Introduction

The Department of Cardiovascular Surgery provides surgical care for adult heart and thoracic aortic diseases.
We understand that heart disease can be a source of great concern for patients and their families, and we are committed to offering safe, reliable, and patient-centered care.
Our treatment approach balances effective disease management with minimizing physical stress. Not all patients require surgery; depending on the condition, medical treatment or careful follow-up may be the best option. We place great importance on clear communication so that patients can make well-informed decisions about their care.
Cardiovascular treatment is delivered by a multidisciplinary Heart Team, working closely with cardiologists, anesthesiologists, intensive care specialists, and allied health professionals. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is also available, allowing us to tailor treatment strategies to each patient’s condition. We collaborate closely with referring physicians and community hospitals to ensure continuous care before and after treatment.

Patient care at our department

We offer comprehensive surgical treatment for adult cardiovascular diseases, including ischemic heart disease, valvular disease, and aortic disease. Our main procedures include coronary artery bypass surgery, valve surgery, and aortic surgery.
Treatment plans are individualized based on each patient’s medical condition, overall health, and lifestyle. For ischemic heart disease, we work closely with cardiologists to determine the most appropriate timing and method of surgical intervention. In valvular disease, valve repair is performed whenever feasible to preserve native valve function.
For aortic stenosis, both surgical treatment and transcatheter approaches (TAVI) are considered through Heart Team discussion. Aortic diseases such as aneurysm and dissection are managed with open and endovascular techniques as appropriate.
Our care extends beyond surgery. We emphasize long-term follow-up and close coordination with cardiologists and community physicians to support patients throughout their recovery.

Main diseases

• Angina pectoris
• Myocardial infarction
• Valvular heart disease
• Thoracic aortic aneurysm
• Aortic dissection
• Adult congenital heart disease
• Cardiac tumors

Depending on the condition, patients may be managed primarily by cardiology.
When needed, we work in collaboration with the Saitama Medical University International Medical Center to provide optimal treatment.

Target Symptoms

Symptoms of major cardiovascular disease are shown below. Even if one has some of these, it does not always imply surgery is indicated.
chest pain, anterior chest discomfort, shortness of breath, palpitation, dyspnea, irregular pulse, back pain, etc.
enlarged cardiac silhouette on X-ray, abnormal findings on electrocardiogram, etc.

Treatment results

Medical staff

Name	Job Title	Position	Specialized Field	Credentials
徳永　千穂 (Tokunaga Chiho)	Professor	Director of the department of cardiovascular surgery	Structural Heart Disease Ischemic heart disease Aortic disease	Board Certified Surgeon Board Certified Cardiovascular surgeon Board Certified Instructor of Cardiovascular Surgery Board Certified fellow of the Japanese Collage of Angiology: vascular specialist
三富　樹郷 (Mitomi Kisato)	Instructor		Structural Heart Disease Ischemic heart disease Aortic disease	Board Certified Surgeon Board Certified Cardiovascular surgeon
岡田　至弘 (Okada Norihiro)	Instructor		Structural Heart Disease Ischemic heart disease Aortic disease	Board Certified Surgeon

Outpatient clinic

To the Medical Institutions

1) Patient referral

(1) Documents with as much information as possible are appreciated.

(2) Please feel free to fax or make a booking in advance, but they are not necessary.

Postoperatively, stable patients are usually referred back. Limited number of patient with special needs (physical condition, discretion, etc.) can be followed up at institutions we regularly visit or, rarely, at our Cardiology department.

2) Enrollment to residency program / application for a position

Our department specializes in treatment for cardiac and thoracic aortic diseases in the adult. Since workforce is still insufficient in comparison to case volume, you can get bunch of clinical experience in this field if you become a member. To be accredited as a board cardiovascular surgeon, however, experiences in other fields (congenital, peripheral vascular) are also required. As this is a member of Tokyo University cardiac surgery group, you can work for some other member hospitals for a while.
You can get a degree of medical doctor (PhD).
On weekday, we usually start to work at 7:30 AM. There is no regular overnight duty. On Sundays and holidays, stuffs take turn for daytime shift.