Profile





Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery (CTVS) is a highly specialised research-based clinical department at Aarhus University Hospital, placed in Aarhus, Denmark, with area of practice within the three medical specialities; cardiothoracic surgery, vascular surgery, and anaesthesiology.

We diagnose, treat, care, and follow patients with conditions of the organs within the thoracic cavity, including the heart, lungs, and esophagus, as well diseases of the chest and the vascular system. To provide the highest level of patient care, research and education is an integrated part of our work.





Research Strategy

The research strategy of our department is based on our mission, vision, and stategic plan updated in 2021. The foundation consist of the three medical specialities representet at our department; cardiothoracic surgery, vascular surgery, and anaesthesiology, as well as the patients we diagnose, treat, and care for.



Vision

  • To increase the short- and long-term survival and quality of life of patients undergoing cardiothoracic or vascular surgery as well as being among the leading cardiothoracic and vascular centres in Europe regarding treatment, diagnostics, care, and research.

Mission

  • To contribute to the current knowledge in the domain of cardiothoracic surgery, vascular surgery, and anaesthesiology.

Objectives

  • To publish a minimum of 25 original articles, reviews, or meta-analyses each year in international, high-ranking, peer-reviewed journals.
  • To present the research at national and international conferences and meetings.
  • To combine research, clinical work, teaching, and educational activities to practice evidence-based treatment of cardiac, thoracic, and vascular patients.
  • To initiate and conduct both small and large clinical studies, incl. prospective and retrospective studies, and experimental studies with short- and long-term perspectives.
  • To investigate and validate new methods, pharmacological products, and medical devices in collaboration with private companies.
  • To include minimum 50% of the patients undergoing elective surgery and 25% of the patients undergoing acute surgery in clinical studies.
  • To always have a minimum of 5 PhD students enrolled at the Clinical Medicine (ClinFO) Graduate Programme, Graduate School of Health, Aarhus University.
  • To always have a minimum of 5 other types of research students (Research Year, Honours Programme, Master Thesis, Bachelor Thesis) enrolled at Aarhus University.
  • To always employ a minimum of 5 Full Professorships (incl. the Department Chair Professorship):
    • One Professor in cardiac surgery.
    • One Professor in thoracic surgery.
    • One Professor in vascular surgery.
    • One Professor in clinical experimental surgery.
    • One Professor in cardiothoracic and vascular anaesthesiology.

Research Council at CTVS

The Research Council of CTVS acts as a strategic, advisory, and guiding body within research with participation of the Head of Research of each of our Research Focus Areas. The Research Council is the supreme governing body of research and has the responsibility to coordinate, create, facilitate, and communicate research at the department.