Cardiothoracic Anaesthesia

St George’s is the tertiary centre for cardiac, thoracic and vascular surgery and acute cardiology for SW London and Surrey. The department provides anaesthesia and critical care for these services. With up to 1000 cardiac surgical cases per year and a very busy thoracic and vascular surgical programme, we are one of the London teaching centres for cardiothoracic anaesthesia training.

Complex and high risk surgery is undertaken daily in the 3 dedicated operating theatres, providing intensive training opportunities for speciality registrars. There is also a busy programme of challenging cardiology catheter lab procedures including electrophysiology and transcutaneous valve replacement (TAVI).
The intensive care unit admits elective and emergency cardiac surgical patients, vascular surgical patients and an increasing proportion of acute cardiology patients – including primary PCI and out of hospital arrests. It is a 21 bedded unit and our emphasis is on clinical excellence and high quality patient-centred care.

We have a programme of research and education and our junior doctors become valued members of the team, with many staying on to become consultants within the department.

Echocardiography is now an essential skill for anaesthesia and critical care and we provide a comprehensive clinical service and training opportunities. There are a number of training programmes and courses both in the theatres and the intensive care unit.