The Department of Cardiovascular Anesthesiology of the Texas Heart Institute (THI) originated with the association of Drs. Arthur S. Keats and Denton Cooley in 1955 prior to the founding of THI by Dr. Cooley in 1962. Since then the anesthesiologists of THI have cared for over 150,000 adult and pediatric patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery. Specifically, anesthesiologists provide perioperative care to the approximately 2100 patients that undergo coronary revascularization (including off-pump cardiac surgery, transmyocardial laser revascularization, robotic and minimally invasive cardiac surgery), cardiac transplantation, valvular surgery, mechanical assist device placement, and electrophysiological surgery annually at the THI. Additionally, approximately 1000 thoracic and vascular cases (aortic aneurysm repair, aorta-femoral bypass, carotid endarterectomy, and A-V access grafts) are performed each year at the THI.
The Department of Cardiovascular Anesthesiology also offers an ACGME-accreditated Fellowship in Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology. In addition to participating in lung, heart, liver and kidney transplantation, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and preparation for the TEE Boards is integral to the Fellowship, with Fellows receiving 2 months of dedicated TEE training. Rotations in pediatric cardiovascular surgery and adult thoracic surgery are also available at the Texas Children's Hospital and M.D. Anderson Hospital, respectively (located directly adjacent to the THI). Finally, the Department of Cardiovascular Anesthesiology is directly involved in patient postoperative care and Fellows will be exposed to critical care medicine outside of the operating room. In addition to the outstanding clinical opportunities, Fellows are also offered the opportunity to participate in clinical and translational research. Our Department has published numerous manuscripts, chapters, and DVDs (including most recently, the Lippincott's Interactive Echocardiography Library). Didactic programs include a weekly Fellow's conference and a monthly journal club.
Updated February 2008
