SLIDE 2

A cardiac surgeon is a physician specializing in surgery of the heart and great vessels of the chest
cavity. Cardiac surgeons are well-known for long work hours, large caseloads and complicated
surgeries. Here is an overview of a cardiac surgeons job duties, training and licensing and
certification requirements.
SLIDE 3
Cardiovascular surgeons perform numerous different treatments on the heart. This can include
valve replacement, heart bypass surgery and fixing congenital heart defects. Some surgeons
also perform heart transplants and insert pacemakers. They also perform operations on the
blood vessels in your body, including the aorta Their work is not limited to the heart, however.
Cardiovascular surgeons also work on arteries such as the carotid artery in the neck and treat
lung and esophagus issues. Cardiac surgeons are responsible for their patients post-operative
care while in the hospital.
SLIDE 5-1
surgeons must have excellent fine motor skill. Fine motor skills refers to the coordination of
small muscles. These muscles, usually in the hands, control a variety of actions. When surgeons
grasp scalpels and other surgical instruments, they must be able to maintain control of each
instrument at all times. If a surgeon loses her grip on an instrument, the instrument can damage
the patient's heart muscle or blood vessels. Fine motor skills are also necessary for tying suture
knots, threading thin catheters through the veins and arteries, inserting pacemakers and operating
the controls used during minimally invasive surgical procedures.

SLIDE 5-2
A heart surgeon must be able to identify and quickly respond to medical emergencies. Some
of the complications that can occur during heart surgery include blood clots, bleeding, stroke,
excessive blood loss and abnormal heart rhythm. Cardiac surgeons may have to perform
resuscitation procedures; administer medications to restore normal heart rhythm; suture wounds
to stop blood loss; perform internal cardiac massage; or apply clamps to damaged blood vessels.
When managing these crises, heart surgeons must remain calm and use their reasoning skills to
select the most appropriate intervention for each patient. They also use their problem-solving and
decision-making skills when handling emergencies.

SLIDE 6-1
Heart surgeons use their diagnostic skills to identify complications during and after surgical
procedures. They must listen carefully when patients describe their symptom. They also must
use established guidelines for conducting physical examinations and ordering diagnostic tests. A
cardiac surgeon must be able to interpret test results and use scientific rules to determine the
right treatment plan for each patient.

SLIDE 6-2
Heart surgeons must communicate effectively with patients and colleagues. With patients,
doctors must be able to explain highly technical medical concepts in words that a layperson can
understand. When speaking with colleagues, a heart surgeon must be able to use technical
terms properly and communicate in a concise manner. Good writing skills are also important,
as heart surgeons write patient progress notes, operative reports, discharge summaries and
correspondence. Meanwhile, social-perceptiveness skills help doctors understand why people react
to situations the way they do. This helps defuse tense situations and resolve conflict within groups.

SLIDE 7
Becoming a board-certified cardiac surgeon entails an extensive training process. The first step is
completing four years of undergraduate school and fulfilling medical school prerequisites, such as
courses in biology, chemistry, math and physics. After earning a bachelor's degree, the student
must pass the Medical College Admissions Test .Four years of medical school is required to earn
a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree. This training includes classroom and laboratory learning
in the first two years and extensive work with patients under the supervision of one or more
licensed physicians during the last two years.The licensed doctor is then required to complete 4-5
years in a general surgery residency followed by at least two years in a cardiac surgery resident
or fellowship program. The distinctive cardiac training usually develops surgical skills that focus
on a particular specialty, such as adult, pediatric or thoracic cardiovascular surgery. Once these
requirements have been fulfilled, the candidate is eligible to take a final examination by the
American Board of Thoracic Surgery and become board-certified.

SLIDE 8
Median Income= $533,000 per year
median---- the middle amount from the highest & lowest salary gained
Average Income= $ 560,000 ~ $ 762,000
Cardiovascular Surgeons have a HIGH salary potential because heart disease can cause about
600,000 deaths per year. Surgeons are hoped to reduce these number.
SLIDE 9
Cardiac surgeons can work in academic medical centers, community hospitals, private group
practices, solo medical practices or medical clinics. While the cardiac surgeon's lifestyle differs
with each type of employer, cardiac surgeons generally work long hours and have busy on-call
requirements. They may be called into surgery during off-peak hours for emergency surgeries
such as bypass procedures or valve replacements in patients who have had or are expected to
have a heart attack.
SLIDE 10
EKG (electrophysiologist) Technician
monitor and test a patients cardiovascular performance using EKG equipment like a
electrocardiogram
Cardiologist
Cardiologists play a leading role in combating diseases and conditions of the cardiovascular
system. They monitor, diagnose and treat heart conditions through a variety of non-surgical
means, including medications and management of lifestyle factors. Some cardiologists also
perform non-invasive procedures such as angioplasties and stent insertion, using tiny instruments
inserted through a catheter into the patient's blood vessels and then threaded through the body
to the trouble area.
Cardiac perfusion
Cardiac Perfusionists are not doctors, or nurses. Cardiac perfusion is an allied health career. A
cardiac perfusionist, also known as a Certified Clinical Perfusionist (CCP), is a specialized medical
professional who operates what you may know as the heart-lung machine.

SLIDE 11
Micheal E. Debakey
Born: September 7, 1908 / Died: July 11, 2008
MEDICAL CAREER
- Received M.D. degree in 1932 & complete internship and residency in
Hospital.

surgery at Charity

- Joined the faculty of Baylor University College of Medicine & worked to become Chancellor
- Part of President Johnsons personal medical team
Medical Achievements
-Developed the roller pump: essential component of the heart-lung machine. The pump provided
a continuous flow of blood during operations which made open-heart surgery possible.
-In the 1960s, DeBakey and his team of surgeons were the first to record surgeries on film.