Cardiac Anesthesia

Care for patients undergoing open heart surgery or complex percutaneous heart procedures is provided by a group of anesthesiologists who are subspecialty trained in cardiac anesthesia and perioperative transesophageal echocardiography.  Cardiac anesthesiologists hold joint appointments in the Departments of Anesthesiology and Cardiac Sciences, and work closely with cardiac surgeons, cardiologists, cardiac intensivists, cardiac nurses and perfusionists.  Together, the cardiac team provides care for approximately 1400 cardiovascular surgeries per year, including coronary artery bypass graft procedures, valve replacement and repair, as well as surgery on the thoracic aorta.  Other clinical responsibilities of the cardiac anesthesia group include helping prepare patients for heart surgery in the pre-operative assessment clinic, providing anesthetic care for certain electrophysiology procedures, and looking after patients with complex heart disease undergoing non-cardiac surgery.  The cardiac anesthesia group is also highly engaged in medical education and research.