Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia

Educational Mission

The University of Wisconsin Department of Anesthesiology aims to provide outstanding advanced training in all aspects of the perioperative management of a wide variety of complex cardiac, thoracic, and vascular surgical procedures.

Program Overview

General Information

Faculty

Curriculum

The Division of Cardiac Anesthesia offers a broad, flexible experience in cardiovascular anesthesia including:

Cardiac: An active adult cardiac surgical service features coronary revascularization with and without cardiopulmonary bypass, complex valve repair and replacement, ascending and aortic arch surgery under deep hypothermic circulatory arrest, and implantation of ventricular assist devices.

Pediatric Cardiac: A rapidly expanding pediatric cardiac surgical program provides both operative and interventional cardiac treatment of a full gamut of congenital heart diseases.

Vascular: The University of Wisconsin offers an active vascular surgical section including thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic surgery and a rapidly expanding endovascular service.

Thoracic: Fellows are exposed to the full range of thoracic surgical procedures including pneumonectomies, thorascopic procedures, and lung volume reduction surgery. Fellows have the option of participating in the postoperative pain management of these patients through involvement in the Acute Pain Service.

Transplantation: The University of Wisconsin ranks second in the nation in transplantation with an active program in cardiac and lung transplantation. Cardiac fellows are closely involved in the perioperative care of these complex patients.

Transesophageal Echocardiography: The cardiac anesthesia fellow receives extensive training and experience in both adult and pediatric echocardiography both intraoperatively, with specially trained and certified anesthesiologists, and in the Echocardiography Lab through our close association with the Division of Cardiology. Equipment and educational resources are state-of-the-art. Fellows are prepared for and encouraged to take the American Society of Echocardiography examination for TEE certification

Critical Care: Fellows have the opportunity to focus on postoperative care with rotations available in both the adult and pediatric surgical intensive care units.

Perfusion: Interested fellows are provided with an in-depth understanding of the mechanics and physiology of cardiopulmonary bypass by working directly with our experienced, highly trained team of perfusionists.

Research: As a participant in the Multicenter Study on Perioperative Ischemia (McSPI) Research Group, other externally funded research, and the on-going study of the anesthetic and surgical management of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms the UW Department of Anesthesiology offers fellows multiple opportunities for involvement in clinical research.

Teaching: In addition to developing outstanding skills in independent case management advanced fellows are provided the opportunity to teach and supervise junior residents performing routine cardiac anesthetics.

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