The cardiothoracic anesthesiology rotation is an exciting and important component of the residency program. The cardiothoracic anesthesiology division comprises sixteen faculty members whose clinical practice focuses on cardiothoracic anesthesiology. Many of the attendings conduct clinical studies or basic science research.

Residents are exposed to a wide variety of cardiothoracic cases including patients undergoing: CABG, valvular, and aortic surgeries requiring cardiopulmonary bypass (>1400/yr), off bypass CABG (approximately 30-40% of all CABG patients), cardiac transplantation (» 80/yr), and lung transplantation (» 40/yr), and placement of a ventricular assist device (» 50 /yr). Residents also care for patient undergoing a wide variety of thoracic surgical procedures, including lung volume reduction. During the rotation through cardiothoracic anesthesiology, residents become proficient in the placement of arterial and pulmonary artery catheters, double lumen endotracheal tubes, bronchial blockers, and thoracic epidurals.

Residents rotate through cardiothoracic anesthesiology for two months during their CA-2 year and many request additional months of exposure during their CA-3 year. The rotation includes a structured lecture program with the faculty. At the beginning of the rotation, residents receive a list of objectives (based on their particular level). Throughout the rotation they receive reading materials and didactic teaching based on these objectives, and at the conclusion of their rotation, an oral exam is given based on these same objectives. Monthly case conferences are offered to all residents, fellows, and attendings. Residents are also exposed to a variety of clinical research projects.

Faculty:

Marc Dickstein, MD
Neil Gleason, MD
Sumeet Goswami, MD
Mark Heath, MD
Maya Jalbout, MD
Taylor Johnston, MD
Desmond Jordan, MD
Albert Ju, MD
Bessie Kachulis, MD
Sansan Lo, MD
David McIlroy, MD
Ervant Nishanian, MD
Jeremy Poppers, MD
Jack Shanewise, MD, Division Chief
Jessica Spellman, MD
Eric Wilkens, MD

Dr. Jack Shanewise became Chief of the Division of Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology in July 2004. He was Director of the division of Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology at Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, from 2001 until he was recruited to Columbia. While a staff cardiac anesthesiologist at Emory (1992-2004) he developed a special interest in echocardiography and is a founding member of the National Board of Echocardiography. He was vice president from 1999-2000 and continues his involvement in the TEE examination and certification process. He has served on many task forces and steering committees for this important new subspecialty and his recruitment recognizes our commitment to intraoperative echocardiography. He is a member of the editorial board of the Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia and has published extensively in the area of cardiovascular anesthesia. A priority for him is the education of residents and fellows within the cardiothoracic Division.

For further information, write or contact:

Jack Shanewise, M.D.
Division of Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology
Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons
Department of Anesthesiology
P&S Box 46
630 West 168th St.
New York New York 10032

Telephone: 212 -342-2210
Fax: 212-342-2211
Email: jss2128@columbia.edu