Overview

Cardiac Anesthesiology at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute is a multi-faceted division dedicated to perioperative cardiovascular care, education and research. Established under the early leadership of North American cardiac anesthesia pioneer Dr. J. Earl Wynands, Cardiac Anesthesiology has established a model that is unique in Canada. The division encompasses:

• Pre-operative assessment and preparation of all patients prior to surgery
• Intra-operative anesthesia services
• Intra-operative echocardiography imaging
• Post-surgical intensive care management
• All other respiratory care

Approximately 1,500 open-heart procedures per year require anesthesia. These procedures include coronary artery bypass, valve replacement, heart transplant, pulmonary thromboendarterectomy, and mechanical circulatory assist devices (artificial heart and left ventricular assist device). Clinical anesthesia is also provided for a growing number and variety of pacemaker and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), percutaneous aortic valve and arrhythmia procedures.

Multi-disciplinary intensive care for cardiac surgery patients is provided in the Cardiac Surgical Intensive Care Unit. This unit is administered by a dedicated group of intensive care Cardiac Anesthesiology physicians. Respiratory care support is also provided to the Coronary Care Unit.

A team of anesthesia technologists, under the guidance of the Chief of Cardiac Anesthesiology, assists the staff anesthesiologists with a variety of clinical duties.

Educational participation includes residency rotations for the University of Ottawa Department of Anesthesiology Residency Program, Fellowship rotation of the University of Ottawa Critical Care Program and a Cardiac Anesthesiology Post-Graduate Fellowship Program.