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Vascular Operations Performed by Cardiothoracic Surgeons: The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Survey
John S Ikonomidis1, Niv Ad2, Gabriel S Aldea3
1Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina.
Insights
Many cardiothoracic surgeons perform vascular procedures, but this practice is not well-defined. A survey of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) members revealed insights into this surgical overlap.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Thoracic Surgery
- Vascular Surgery
Background:
- Cardiothoracic surgeons often supplement their case volume with vascular surgical procedures.
- The extent and nature of this practice are not well-documented in existing literature.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the performance and scope of vascular operations undertaken by cardiothoracic surgeons.
- To gather data on the demographics and practice patterns of cardiothoracic surgeons performing vascular surgery.
Main Methods:
- A survey was distributed to members of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) in January 2013.
- The survey aimed to evaluate the extent to which cardiothoracic surgeons perform vascular surgical procedures.
Main Results:
- The survey achieved an 8.7% response rate.
- Of surgeons performing vascular surgery, 60% were aged 45–64, 92% were male, and 11% were board-certified in vascular surgery.
- 33% practiced in the southern US, 22% dedicated at least 30% of their practice to vascular surgery, and 81% desired integrated vascular training in cardiothoracic education.
Conclusions:
- The survey provides valuable data on the prevalence and characteristics of vascular surgery performed by STS members.
- Findings highlight a significant overlap in practice and a desire for enhanced vascular training within cardiothoracic surgery education.
Background:
Many cardiothoracic surgeons supplement their case volume through the performance of vascular surgical procedures. Information regarding this practice is not well defined.
Methods:
In January of 2013, a survey was conducted of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) membership to assess the performance of vascular operations by cardiothoracic surgeons.
Results:
The overall response rate was 8.7%. Of the surgeons practicing vascular surgery, 60% were aged 45 to 64 years and 92% were male. Eleven percent of surgeons are board certified in vascular surgery, and 61% have been practicing 16 or more years, with 33% practicing in the southern United States. Twenty-two percent of surgeons stated that at least 30% of their practice was devoted to vascular surgery. Eighty-one percent of respondents would like to see vascular surgery training become part of the formal curriculum for cardiothoracic surgery education, and 90% said that cardiothoracic surgery education should offer a cardiovascular track with emphasis on thoracic and vascular surgery, including endovascular surgery.
Conclusions:
This survey provides expanded data on the performance and breadth of practice of vascular surgery by the STS membership.
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