Research in the Cardiothoracic Department is varied, collaborative, and strongly focused on translational research.

Through partnerships with The Baird Institute, the Charles Perkins Centre at the University of Sydney, the Sydney Heart Bank, and SLHD departments such as SOURCE and the Institute of Academic Surgery, the department is able to translate scientific and laboratory findings directly into the operating theatre, resulting in significant improvements in patient outcomes.

Advancements in surgical techniques within both the robotic theatre and the cardiac catheterisation laboratory have been driven by this research culture. Collaborative programs such as TAVI and MitraClip also originated from research conducted at RPAH, highlighting the department's role in developing and implementing innovative procedures.

The Cardiothoracic Department currently participates in clinical trials, non-clinical trials and contributes to biobanks. It also maintains large datasets within the cardiac and thoracic surgery databases, which are regularly exported to national governing bodies such as ANZSCTS. These datasets support departmental audits and underpin the publication of articles in high-impact, peer-reviewed journals, ensuring that research findings contribute to broader clinical knowledge and practice.