CTICU: Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit (Clinical Elective)

4 units

This clinical elective offers practical experience in the postoperative management of cardiothoracic patients. The student will be fully integrated into one of the intensive care teams and have the opportunity to contribute to the management of critically ill patients. Students will have the opportunity to follow specific patients over the course of their stay in the ICU, during which time they will gain insight into holistic management of patients with multi-organ dysfunction. The CTICU environment is both challenging and exciting. Students will gain unique insight into cardiorespiratory physiology and pharmacology which will be demonstrated at the patients' bedside, an invaluable and unforgettable learning experience. Students will have opportunities to learn and sometimes assist with procedures, such as central lines, chest tubes, bronchoscopy and pulmonary artery catheter insertion as well as bedside ultrasound including TTE and TEE. Principles of management and resuscitation of hemodynamically unstable patients following surgery will be emphasized as well as ventilator management. Students will also see and help manage patients with unique physiology such as those patients on ventricular assist devices, and on ECMO. We also have a very busy and heart and lung transplantation program at the hospital - all of these patients are cared for in the CTICU. At the conclusion of the rotation, the student will have a better understanding of shock, sepsis, multi-organ failure, organ system support and compassionate withdrawal of life support. In addition to bedside teaching, there will be informal teaching sessions on a wide variety of topics as well as teaching on interpreting hemodynamic data and waveforms, and cardiac echo exams. Students will be encouraged to present on their patient at morning rounds, during which constructive feedback and interactive teaching will occur. Medical students will be asked to present a short discussion on a topic of their choice. This should be a short 20 - 30 minute presentation followed by a discussion on the topic which will be moderated by the attending. Discuss the time and topic of choice with the attending of service.