The elective Perioperative Transesophageal Echocardiography rotation is offered though the Section on Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. The use of perioperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has become increasingly recognized and popular as a means of quickly obtaining accurate anatomic and hemodynamic information in surgical patients. Individuals with extensive training in the perioperative use of TEE are becoming more and more sought after.
The overall goal of this rotation is to educate clinicians in the performance and interpretation of perioperative transesophageal echocardiography and to prepare those individuals to obtain the Certification in Basic Perioperative Transesophageal Echocardiography offered by the National Board of Echocardiography.
The month-long rotation provides ample opportunity for hands-on training in the use of transesophageal echocardiography under the supervision of the cardiothoracic anesthesiology staff in the operating room. In addition, a curriculum consisting of formal lectures provided by the cardiothoracic anesthesiology staff as well as review sessions during which prior TEE exams are reviewed and discussed provides the resident with the foundation for properly interpreting TEE exams.
During the course of the CA-3 year, each resident participating in the perioperative transesophageal echocardiography rotation will have the opportunity to obtain the minimum number of performed and reviewed TEE exams as required by the National Board of Echocardiography for the Certification in Basic Perioperative Transesophageal Echocardiography.