Postgraduate School of Cardiac Surgery

Common training objectives (or common core)

Students must acquire: in-depth knowledge of anatomy, clinical biochemistry, physiopathology and pharmacology; the ability to complete epidemiologic evaluations and workup of clinical cases, also through the use of information systems; practical experience required to clinically assess a patient correctly based on knowledge of aetiopathogenic mechanisms of disease processes, of related anatomical-pathological aspects, and of microbiological and haematological implications; in-depth knowledge of scientific English. Students must also acquire: adequate knowledge of surgical anatomy for objective clinical examinations and surgical medicine; the principles of asepsis and issues relating to organization and environmental hygiene in the operating room; knowledge of surgical instruments and of suture materials; traditional and alternative surgical methods and techniques; basic knowledge and related practical experience for personally assessing the overall condition of patients and identifying correctly cardiac, thoracic or vascular pathologies, providing an indication of the most suitable therapy as a function of risks, benefits and expected outcome for each single patient; acquire theoretical-practical knowledge of the preoperative and postoperative care (including intensive care) in diseases linked to their specialization that require surgery, so that students are able to address and solve issues pertaining to the definition and management of postoperative care and aftercare. Based on a comprehensive evaluation of the disease, they must be able to personally complete elective or emergency surgery. Students must acquire: the core competencies and experience required to diagnose and prescribe treatment for diseases pertaining to the class, with an overall understanding of priorities in the case of multiple pathologies or lesions in patients requiring other important specialist treatment; knowledge of the medical-legal aspects of theirs profession and the body of laws, norms and regulations governing healthcare; the ability to organize and manage their own surgical activity in relation to the characteristics of the facility in which they will be operating.

Core training objectives

Students must acquire in-depth knowledge of the anatomy, physiopathology and pathological anatomy of organs in the thoracic cavity and of the cardiovascular system; they must acquire the competencies to complete epidemiological evaluations and systematization of clinical data, also through the use of information systems;

School-specific training objectives

Students must acquire core competencies in surgical anatomy, surgery and surgical techniques, including issues relating to organization and environmental hygiene in the operating room, surgical equipment and materials.
Students must acquire in-depth knowledge of all pathological processes affecting the heart and large vessels, of instrumental methods for clinical evaluation, with particular reference to angiography and echocardiography, of surgical solutions known to be effective in the treatment of cardiovascular disease, both techniques and indications.
Students must learn the most important aspects of anaesthesia and acquire adequate knowledge of postoperative care of cardiac surgery patients.
Students must acquire methods for assessing indications for surgery, even using surgical risk stratification methods and appropriate risk-benefit analysis.

These are mandatory professionalizing activities to achieve the objectives of the typology:

Clinical Activity
- attendance for at least one quarter in general surgery and/or emergency departments
- attendance for at least one quarter in thoracic surgery and vascular surgery departments

General Surgical Activity:
- participation as first in 10 major surgery cases, 15 medium surgery cases and 30 minor

Thoracic-vascular Surgical Activity:
- participation as operator in 10 major surgery cases, 15 medium surgery cases and 30 minor surgery cases;

Cardiac Surgery Activity:
- attendance for at least one quarter in the Department of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery
- attendance for at least one quarter in a Center with cardiac transplant activity and mechanical cardiocirculatory assistance
- attendance for at least one quarter in Transcatheter valve therapy and minimally invasive valve surgery activity
- participation as first operator in 10 cases of major surgery, 20 of medium surgery and 100 of minor surgery;
- participation as second operator in 50 cases of major surgery and 80 of medium surgery and 200 of minor surgery.

He/she may compete for the diploma after completing the surgical activity.

The specialist may compete for the diploma after completing the professionalizing activities.

The trainee, as part of the training path, will have to learn the scientific bases of the School typology in order to reach a full maturity and professional competence that includes an adequate capacity to interpret scientific innovations and a critical knowledge that allows him to consciously manage both the assistance and his own updating; in this context, participation in meetings, conferences and the production of scientific publications and periods of attendance in qualified Italian and foreign institutions useful for his training may be foreseen.