ACE: Pediatric Cardiac Surgery

School of Medicine

Pediatric cardiac surgery is a highly sub-specialized branch of surgery that deals with some of the most complex anatomical and physiological problems in children and young adults. A large multi-disciplinary team is tasked with the diagnosis, evaluation, medical management, and surgical strategies to repair congenital heart defects. This Advanced Clinical Experience in pediatric cardiac surgery aims to introduce the learner to the surgical management of congenital heart disease. Most of the time will be spent on the inpatient service working in the operating room and managing patients pre- and post-operatively in the intensive care unit and cardiac floor, with weekly opportunities to work with the congenital heart surgeons in the outpatient clinic. Students will be expected to attend daily rounds/conferences with the team, follow patients the student attended at operation, and attend and present at journal club/teaching conference. Exposure to pediatric cardiology, imaging, anesthesia, and intensive care medicine will be available throughout the course to enhance integration into the team.