Cardiothoracic Surgery Residency Training in Surgical Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation

Area of Science:

• Cardiothoracic Surgery
• Cardiac Electrophysiology
• Surgical Education

Background:

• Lack of a standardized curriculum for surgical ablation training in cardiothoracic surgery residents.
• Potential for variability in operative techniques, patient selection, and application of surgical ablation for atrial fibrillation.
• Need to assess current resident exposure to identify educational gaps.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the training experiences of current cardiothoracic surgery residents in surgical ablation for atrial fibrillation.
• To identify areas for improvement in resident education regarding surgical ablation techniques.
• To understand resident competency in performing various lesion sets and overall satisfaction with training.

Main Methods:

• Survey distributed to cardiothoracic surgery residents regarding their training in surgical ablation for atrial fibrillation.
• Inquiry into case volume, procedural diversity, and perceived appropriateness of ablation in clinical scenarios.
• Assessment of residents' ability to perform different lesion sets and their satisfaction with training.

Main Results:

• Median of five cases performed during residency, with pulmonary vein isolation being the most common procedure.
• Seventy-seven percent of residents cannot independently perform a bi-atrial (Cox-Maze IV) lesion set.
• Residents reported neutral satisfaction with their training in surgical ablation for atrial fibrillation.

Conclusions:

• Low case volume, limited lesion set proficiency, and dissatisfaction indicate inadequate resident exposure to surgical ablation for atrial fibrillation.
• Findings underscore the necessity for enhanced training experiences to prepare residents for the increasing prevalence of atrial fibrillation.
• Educators should prioritize comprehensive training to ensure appropriate and durable surgical interventions for atrial fibrillation.