with a CT surgeon, one of your definitions contradicts you
"cardiologist A heart specialist, usually a physician concerned with the minutiae of cardiac diagnosis and medical treatment,
rather than a heart surgeon.
Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005"
A CT surgeon has more in common in his training with an orthopedic surgeon than with a cardiologist.
Show me the cardiology training in this pathway:
https://www.theapprenticedoctor.com/how-to-become-a-cardiothoracic-surgeon-whats-the-salary-like/
Education needed to become a cardiothoracic surgeon
The path to become a cardiothoracic surgeon is long, but rewarding. The first step is education.
Most students endeavoring to become cardiothoracic surgeons follow a road similar to this:
-Obtain a 4-year undergraduate degree in pre-med with an emphasis on science.
-Attend and graduate from a 4-year medical school.
-Complete a 5-year general surgery residency program.
-Enter a 2- or 3-year cardiothoracic surgery residency program, or enter a 6-year integrated cardiothoracic surgery residency.