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Course Information |
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Course Objectives
Upon completion of the course, the participants will gain improved understanding of the pathophysiology and pathological anatomy of congenital heart disease. They will gain insight and will have been able to extensively observe and understand advanced surgical techniques used for repair of congenital heart malformations, including cardiopulmonary bypass techniques and variations, minimally-invasive exposure of the heart, robotic assistance, and hybrid techniques. Advanced ICU management strategies as well as new medications will have been discussed and their rationale understood. ECMO support techniques will be detailed.
Clinical Program
The Department of Cardiac Surgery includes five full-time, board certified cardiac surgeons, all of whom have extensive experience in congenital cardiac surgery including congenital heart surgery procedures in adults. Faculty members include Drs. Pedro J. del Nido, John E. Mayer, Jr., Frank A. Pigula, Emile Bacha, and Francis Fynn-Thompson.
The Cardiac Surgery Program at Children's Hospital Boston is largest in the United States, performing over 1,100 cases each year. Approximately 20 cases per week are performed, and include all forms of complex congenital disease. The program serves as a national and international referral destination for patients with congenital heart disease, and a large volume of neonatal surgery, single ventricle palliation, and valve repair/replacement procedures are performed. We also have an active interest in minimally-invasive techniques, such as mini-sternotomy approaches, robotic surgery, and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). A hybrid suite designed for combined surgical and interventional approaches was recently opened and is used for selected cases.
Program participants are encouraged to attend the operation of interest in one of three dedicated cardiac surgery operating rooms. These rooms, opened in August 2005, contain state of the art video and recording capabilities. Overhead and head mounted cameras allow, coupled with wide screen monitors, provide the visitor with excellent visualization of the surgical field.
In addition to the program's clinical complexity and volume, participants will have the opportunity to attend structured educational sessions.
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