Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesia

The months that you spend doing cardiothoracic anesthesia are busy but worth it. You do the full spectrum of adult cases, including on-pump and off-pump coronary artery surgery, valve replacements and repairs, major aortic surgery, heart and lung transplantation, arrhythmia surgery, and use of many types of circulatory assist devices. All types of thoracic surgery, including robotic and video-assisted thoracoscopic procedures, are performed. Residents are trained in the application of one-lung ventilation, intraoperative fiberoptic bronchoscopy, and are introduced to transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) beginning in the PGY-2 year.

Transesophageal echocardiography is taught in the OR, by high-fidelity simulation (HeartWorks) and by one-on-one reading of echocardiograms with echo-certified cardiac anesthesiologists. Fifteen weekdays are dedicated to teaching TEE to residents in PGY-2 and PGY-3 rotations. In addition, individual time can be provided throughout your residency.

Residents receive close supervision and teaching from the attendings, supplemented by a printed and online manual that includes patient management guidelines, learning objectives, study questions, and reading assignments. Individual tutorials, podcasts, and cardiothoracic anesthesia subspecialty conferences further resident education.