Heterogeneity Among Countries in the Subspecialty of Cardiovascular Anesthesia in Latin America: Survey Results

Abstract

ObjectivesTo evaluate demographics, workload, training, facilities, and equipment in cardiovascular anesthesia (CVA) in Latin America (LA) DesignA descriptive cross-sectional study with data collected through a survey. SettingA multicenter, international web-based questionnaire that included 37 multiple-choice questions. ParticipantsPhysicians and specialists in anesthesiology who regularly participated in cardiovascular surgeries and were members of the scientific societies of the Latin American Confederation of Anesthesiology. InterventionsNone Measurements and Main ResultsA total of 484 completed questionnaires were collected. 97.8% of the respondents had a university degree in anesthesiology. Most did not receive formal training in CVA, and only 41.5% received formal training. Moreover, most of them were trained in their own country, and a smaller percentage were trained abroad. Half of the respondents reported receiving less than 12 months of training. A third part of the respondents refers to having received training in transesophageal echocardiography. Only 5.8% of the respondents worked exclusively in CVA, and a high percentage dedicated less than 60% of their weekly work hours to this subspecialty. 80.6% of the centers had less than three cardiac surgery operating rooms. Only one-third of the centers performed heart/lung transplantation, venoarterial ECMO, venovenous ECMO, and ventricular assist device implantation. ConclusionsA significant lack of training programs in anesthesiology practice and complex procedures in medical centers in LA are evident. Thus, basic accredited programs should be developed in medical centers in LA.