Abigail Smario - Cardiothoracic Surgery

 Cardiothoracic Surgery

Abigail Smario

Cardiothoracic surgery, which treats diseases of the heart, lungs, and chest, is a vital part of global healthcare, yet it remains shockingly inaccessible in many parts of the world. Around the world, millions suffer from heart disease, lung conditions, or birth defects that require surgical intervention. Yet, according to a study published in the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, responsible for 17.5 million deaths each year—80% of which occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Despite the overwhelming need, around 75% of the world lack access to cardiac surgery due to limited infrastructure, trained professionals, and financial coverage (Vervoort et al., 2020). 

This lack of access is even more heartbreaking when it comes to children. Congenital heart defects (CHD), which affect over one million newborns annually, go untreated in more than 90% of cases in LMICs, leaving vulnerable infants without the care they need to survive (Vervoort, Mesfin, Hill, 2022). 

Even in places where surgical care exists, cost becomes the next major barrier. Open-heart surgery can cost between $11,000 to $200,000, depending on the procedure and location. Which amounts far beyond what most families can afford. Without public insurance or funding programs, patients are often forced to go without surgery or into lifelong debt. Many hospitals require upfront payment, making emergent care nearly impossible for low-income patients. This financial barrier means that even when cardiac care is physically available, it’s still not truly accessible.

Addressing the global cardiac surgery gap means more than building hospitals; it means training specialists, providing sustainable funding, and ensuring surgery is both affordable and accessible to everyone, everywhere.

Sources:

Vervoort D, et al. Global Cardiac Surgery: Access to Cardiac Surgical Care Around the World. JTCVS, 2020.

Vervoort D, Mesfin S, Hill S. Global Cardiac Surgery: The Tipping Point for Universal Cardiovascular Health Equity?, 2022.


Meet the Author:

Hi! My name is Abigail Smario, and I’m a freshman at Wake Early College of Health and Sciences. I’m passionate about healthcare and hope to become a surgeon one day. I stay active in Debate Club (freshman rep), HOSA, Key Club, yearbook, and student council. Outside of school, I love reading, running, walking, and watching Gilmore Girls. I care deeply about making a difference—and I believe access to healthcare is a right, not a privilege.

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