Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology

Overview of Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology

The Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology Division is focused on UW Medicine’s mission to improve the health of the public. Our highly specially trained team is committed to exceptional clinical care, education, and research. The Division’s clinical practice focuses on patients undergoing cardiac, thoracic, vascular, electrophysiology surgeries and is a leader in structural heart and cardiac catheterization procedures.

Research interests

Our research interests are varied and include patient safety, infection control, hemostasis, quality improvement and echocardiography to name a few. We have several national and internationally recognized individuals for echocardiography and research. Our educational dedication is exemplified by our staff’s involvement in transesophageal echocardiography, point of care ultrasound (POCUS), simulation and daily teaching of trainees. Many faculty members have received the teaching award given by residents representing the best teacher of the year.

Cardiac surgical care

The Division of Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology, comprised of 21 subspecialty trained anesthesiologists, provides anesthesia and perioperative care for over 600 complex cardiac surgical cases and 500 transcatheter procedures at UW Medical Center – Montlake each year. Our cases include myocardial revascularization, valve repair and replacement, thoracic aortic surgery, electrophysiology surgery, adult congenital heart surgery, and heart and lung transplantation (including assist devices). We also provide postprocedural care for all patients in the cardiothoracic surgery intensive care unit.  

Thoracic surgery

Our team provides anesthesia and perioperative care for all forms of adult thoracic surgery, including video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, lung and esophageal cancer surgery, pulmonary thromboendarterectomy, lung volume reduction surgery for emphysema, and surgery and interventional bronchoscopy for the full spectrum of tracheobronchial pathology.

Transcatheter procedures

We provide anesthesia and perioperative care for all patients undergoing transcatheter therapies for structural heart disease, electrophysiological procedures, and percutaneous coronary interventions. Our structural heart cases, including transcatheter aortic valve implantation, valvular edge-to-edge repair, transcatheter mitral valve replacement, left atrial appendage occluder device implantation, and perivalvular regurgitation occlusion, involve intra-procedural TEE evaluation and guidance provided by our divisional faculty.