CARDIOTHORACIC ANESTHESIA
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
CA 2 Level
DEFINITION
The rotation for adult cardiothoracic anesthesiology is a one or two month rotation in the CA-2
year for cardiothoracic anesthesiology. The adult cardiac portion focuses on all elements of the
perioperative care of patients for all forms of cardiac surgery, including coronary
revascularization, valve replacement, valve repair, arrhythmia surgery, ventricular remodeling
and major vascular surgeries. In addition, the rotation focuses on all elements of anesthesiology
for thoracic surgery, including bronchoscopy, mediastinoscopy, thoracotomy, lung resection,
pneumonectomy, lung volume reduction and lung transplantation. The emphasis is to identify the
special elements of anesthesia in different types of cardiothoracic surgery.
CURRICULUM
The goal is to provide a broad exposure to all elements of anesthesia for adult cardiac surgery.
The clinical experience is supplemented by a manual, a book, a weekly subspecialty conference
and a monthly journal club. In addition, the rotation provides clinical experiences with all
elements of thoracic anesthesiology, including preoperative assessment, consultation, line
placement, thoracic epidural analgesia, double lumen endotracheal tube placement and
confirmation of the position, fiberoptic bronchoscopy, and one-lung ventilation. The emphasis is
to establish appropriate anesthesia plan for different types of cardiothoracic procedures based on
clinical and laboratory data.
MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE
At the conclusion of this rotation, the resident should be able to:
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Describe the anatomy and physiology of the normal heart.
Discuss pharmacology pertinent to the cardiovascular system.
Identify inotropic and vasoactive drugs and their role in anesthetic management of
cardiac cases.
Describe coronary anatomy.
Describe coronary artery disease.
Describe valvular heart diseases.
Explain anesthesia implications of different heart diseases.
Describe the pathophysiology and the anesthesia implications of aortic surgery.
Discuss and explain the rationale of induction and maintenance of anesthesia
techniques for cardiothoracic surgery.
Discuss the mechanism and anesthesia implications of cardiopulmonary bypass.
Explain the sequential steps in cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
List the indications, and potential complications of:
a. arterial catheterization
b. central venous catheterization
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c. pulmonary artery catheterization
d. bronchoscopy
e. double lumen tube placement
f. epidural catheters
Describe common problems and their treatment during postoperative recovery of
the uncomplicated cardiac surgery patient.
Describe the changes of the coagulation system during cardiopulmonary bypass.
Describe the pharmacology of Heparin and Protamine.
Describe the TEG and other coagulation laboratory parameters used for evaluate
the coagulation system during cardiac surgery.
Describe the role of different anti-fibrinolytic agents in cardiac surgery.
Describe the management of ventilation of the uncomplicated cardiac/thoracic
surgery patient.
Describe preoperative assessment for thoracic surgery.
Describe risks of prolonged intubation.
Describe indications for lung isolation.
Describe one-lung ventilation.
Describe physiological responses to major lung resection and pneumonectomy.
Describe chest tube placement.
Describe different techniques of analgesia for thoracic surgery.
Describe the expected postoperative recovery of the uncomplicated thoracic
surgery patient.
Understands the basics of TEE, finds the basic views and recognizes normal
anatomy.
PATIENT CARE
At the conclusion of this rotation, the resident should be able to:
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Insert, manage, and interpret the results of arterial catheterization, central venous
catheterization and pulmonary artery catheterization with minimal staff assistance
in the majority of cases.
Prepare the patient for cardiopulmonary bypass.
Manage the patient care during cardiopulmonary bypass.
Prepare the patient for coming off cardiopulmonary bypass.
Prepare patients for transport to the SICU after cardiac surgery in a safe and
timely manner.
Transport the patient into the SICU safely.
Give detailed report about the patient with continuous vigilance about the
patient’s hemodynamic status.
Perform fiberoptic bronchoscopy with minimal staff assistance in the majority of
cases.
Insert and manage double lumen endotracheal tubes with minimal staff assistance
in the majority of cases.
Place and manage epidural catheters for patients having cardiothoracic surgery.
Identify patients with high risk for anesthetic management.
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Conduct one lung ventilation with minimal staff assistance.
Recognize acute respiratory failure.
Safely reintubate patients after thoracotomy when indicated.
Recognize massive intrathoracic bleeding.
Initiate appropriate analgesia after thoracic surgery.
Transfer thoracic patients to the PACU and ICU with minimal staff assistance.
COMMUNICATION AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS
At the conclusion of this rotation, the resident should be able to:
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Identify the relevant preoperative information needed for a specific anesthesia
plan for cardiac surgery.
Communicate effectively with the anesthesia attending and the cardiac surgery
team to establish effective management for the patient.
Identify the stage of the cardiac surgical procedure quickly by observation the
surgery field and interaction with the surgical team and prepare for the next step.
Collect relevant preoperative information needed to plan anesthesia for thoracic
surgery.
Identify the stage of the thoracic surgical procedure quickly by observation the
surgery field and interaction with the surgical team and prepare for the next step.
Give detailed report about the patient in PACU or SICU.
PROFESSIONALISM
At the conclusion of this rotation, the resident will be able to:
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Respect the patient’s needs during preparation for anesthesia.
Prepare the patient for cardiothoracic surgery and invasive monitoring.
Properly perform consultative and preoperative assessments.
Act as a member of the cardiac anesthesia team.
Effectively communicate with the surgical team.
Rev. 7/ 2009
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