Bret A. Mettler, MD

Pediatric Cardiologist

Dr. Bret A. Mettler is a Pediatric Cardiologist in Nashville, TN with special training and skill in diagnosing, treating, and preventing childhood diseases of the heart and blood vessels. As a Pediatric Cardiologist, Bret A. Mettler, MD performs medical diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart defects, coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular heart disease, and heart muscle defects. Pediatric Cardiology is a specialty of childhood medicine that deals with children's disorders of the heart as well as parts of the circulatory system. Significant diseases and conditions treated by Pediatric Cardiologists include arrhythmia, congenital heart defects, heart muscle disorders, heart disease, cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, cardiomyopathy, and hypertension, as well as fetal cardiac conditions. Medical tests, procedures and therapies provided by Pediatric Cardiologists include diagnostic imaging, intensive cardiac care, cardiac catheterization and intervention, electrophysiology, fetal cardiology, exercise stress tests, preventative cardiology care, and heart transplantation.

A pediatric cardiologist provides comprehensive care to patients with cardiovascular problems. This specialist is skilled in selecting, performing and evaluating the structural and functional assessment of the heart and blood vessels, and the clinical evaluation of cardiovascular disease.

Thoracic Surgeon (Cardiothoracic Vascular Surgeon)

Dr. Bret A. Mettler is a Thoracic Surgeon (Cardiothoracic Vascular Surgeon) in Nashville, TN with special training and skill in diagnosing and surgically treating vascular disorders of the chest cavity. As a Thoracic Surgeon (Cardiothoracic Vascular Surgeon), Bret A. Mettler, MD performs thoracic surgery, cancer treatment, disorder assessment, and post-operative patient care. Thoracic / Cardiothoracic Vascular Surgery is a medical specialty focused on surgically treating vascular conditions of the chest. Significant diseases and conditions treated by Thoracic / Cardiothoracic Vascular Surgeons include ischemic heart disease, cardiac arrest, coronary artery bypass surgery, aortic valve disease, mitral valve disease, atrial septal defect, esophageal cancer, and lung cancer. Medical tests, procedures and therapies provided by Thoracic / Cardiothoracic Vascular Surgeons include x-ray, ultrasound, MRI, and CT imaging, tissue biopsy, surgical repair of thoracic arteries and blood vessels, heart transplant, emergency heart surgery, medication prescription, patient education, and post-operative care.

A thoracic surgeon provides the operative, perioperative and critical care of patients with pathologic conditions within the chest. Included is the surgical care of coronary artery disease, cancers of the lung, esophagus and chest wall, abnormalities of the trachea, abnormalities of the great vessels and heart valves, congenital anomalies, tumors of the mediastinum and diseases of the diaphragm. The management of the airway and injuries of the chest is within the scope of the specialty.