It is not uncommon to place an arterial line, a central venous or Swan Ganz catheter, a thoracic epidural, and a double lumen endotracheal tube on our sicker patients. Dr. Leon Shapiro, fellowship trained in thoracic anesthesia, coordinates this rotation and will be teaching residents the fundamentals of cardiopulmonary physiology, pathology, and clinical procedures during the rotation. Residents have access to 4 operating rooms with all the anesthetic options as the main OR provides. Efficient use of these resources are stressed as many cases should be done during the day. The surgical disciplines of Opthomology, ENT, Orthopedics, Dentistry, Pediatrics, Plastic Surgery, and general surgery are represented.
Emphasis is given to providing a quality anesthestic with an appropriately quick discharge time.
Almost all these patients go home before 6 pm. Cardiac anesthesia is one of the exciting rotations during the CA-2 year. Residents are given two exposures to this discipline. In University Hospital Dr. Shuaib Ahktar coordinates the cardiac program. He is certified in general and intraoperative echocardiography.