Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery

Transform care through cutting edge surgical innovation and hands-on clinical and research excellence in cardiac and thoracic surgery.

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Section of Bioethics

In the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, our nationally recognized surgeons provide highly specialized care to diagnose and treat patients with cardiac and thoracic diseases, working with colleagues in cardiology and vascular surgery to develop innovative strategies resulting in the highest quality of care including complex procedures. Our goal is to provide the best and safest care that affords the most rapid recovery and return to full activity.

This year, the MUSC Health cardiac surgery program earned a three-star rating—the highest possible—from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) for excellence in coronary artery bypass grafting.(CABG) outcomes, placing MUSC Health among the nation’s elite centers.
The 2025–2026 U.S. News & World Report recognized MUSC Health as “High Performing” in Aortic Valve Surgery, Heart Bypass Surgery, Heart Failure, and Lung Cancer Surgery.
Additionally, the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR) recognized the heart transplant program for exceptional outcomes.
The aortic center, a collaboration between cardiac and vascular surgery, continues to grow in scope and volume of complex procedures offered to patients in the region.
The advanced heart failure program continues to be one of the busiest programs in the United States with exceptional outcomes.
Reaching a major procedural milestone, the cardiac surgery and cardiology teams recently completed its 2,000th transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR)—cementing MUSC Health’s position as one of the region’s most experienced and South Carolina’s busiest TAVR centers.
The robotic cardiac surgery program continues to expand. We now have four robotically trained cardiac surgeons, offering minimally invasive options that reduce recovery time and improve patient outcomes.
The thoracic surgery transplant program had a 35% increase in transplant surgeries and we now have three thoracic surgeons on our team.

Although we are experts in our field, our patients and their families are integral parts of the decision-making process. Working together with our patients thoughts, perspectives and desires help us craft a plan for the ideal outcome.

Our Faculty

Arman Kilic, M.D.

ICCE Chief, Heart & Vascular
Division Chief, Cardiothoracic Surgery
Director, Heart Failure & Transplant Program
Professor, College of Medicine - Surgery

kilica@musc.edu 843-876-4841 View Faculty Profile View Provider Profile

Dr. Arman Kilic is a professor of surgery in the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, serves as ICCE Chief for cardiology, and is the surgical director of the Heart Failure and Heart Transplant Program at MUSC. He is board certified in both cardiothoracic surgery and general surgery.

Dr. Kilic graduated from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He subsequently trained in general surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital where he served as administrative chief resident. He completed his fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery at the University of Pennsylvania. He has won several awards including the John L. Cameron Award for Technical Excellence in Surgery, the Frank Coulson Jr. Award for Clinical Excellence, and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons President's Award.

Dr. Kilic has published over 250 manuscripts and is the editor of several major textbooks. He has served in multiple leadership positions for national societies and is on the editorial board of the Annals of Thoracic Surgery, the Journal of Cardiac Surgery, PLOS ONE, and the Journal of Thoracic Disease. He is a regularly invited faculty lecturer at national and international meetings. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the American College of Cardiology. He is a member of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, the American Heart Association, the Southern Thoracic Surgical Association, and the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation. He has mentored numerous medical students and surgical trainees and has received grant funding from the National Institutes of Health and the Thoracic Surgery Foundation.

Dr. Kilic's clinical practice encompasses the entire spectrum of heart surgery for adults, including coronary artery bypass surgery, valve repair or replacement, heart transplantation, and ventricular assist devices. He has particular expertise in high-risk operations, advanced coronary surgery techniques including off-pump and multi-arterial coronary bypass surgery, surgery for heart failure, and minimally invasive procedures.