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Who's Who on Your Cardiac Team
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anesthesiologist: the physician who is responsible for providing anesthesia in the operating room, and who monitors the patient's vital signs. As a vital member of the surgical team, the anesthesiologist has the critical responsibility for the patient's welfare when he or she undergoes anesthesia.
An anesthesiologist has a medical degree (MD), and has performed a minimum of four years of residency in anesthesiology.
cardiac sonographer: technician with special training in performing echocardiograms and echo/stress tests. An cardiac sonographer takes a one-year course of study and receives six months of hands-on training at a clinical site such as a hospital.
cardiologist: a physician who specializes in the causes, diagnosis, and medical treatment of heart disease.
A cardiologist has a medical degree (MD), and has performed 3 years of residency in internal medicine and 3-4 years of fellowship training in cardiac medical or interventional care.
cardiothoracic surgeon, cardiovascular surgeon (these two terms are often used interchangeably): surgeons with special expertise and training in operating on the heart and blood vessels. (thoracic = chest; vascular = blood vessels)
A cardiothoracic or cardiovascular surgeon has a medical degree (MD), and has performed 5-7 years of residency in surgery and 2-3 years of fellowship training in cardiac surgery
EKG technician: EKG technicians are responsible for performing noninvasive cardiac tests in order to record and monitor electrical impulses transmitted by the heart. This assists a physician in diagnosing and treating cardiac irregularities. These tests include basic ECG's, Holter monitors, treadmill stress tests, and nuclear stress tests.
An EKG technician usually takes a one-year program at a community college or vocational/technical school.
electrophysiologist: a cardiologist with specialty training in conducting and analyzing electrophysiology tests. After medical school, training to become an electrophysiolgist involves three years of Medical residency, three years of Cardiology fellowship, and two years of Electrophysiology fellowship.
exercise physiologist: Exercise physiology is the study of muscular activity, the ways the body systems respond to changes in activity patterns, and how activity patterns affect chronic diseases. Clinical exercise physiologists develop and supervise exercise programs for people with diseases in which exercise has been proven beneficial in their management.
Training includes a 4-year degree with an emphasis and training in the area of cardiopulmonary responses to exercise. Many exercise physiologists have advanced degrees. Exercise physiologists may be certified by the American College of Sports Medicine.
interventional cardiologist: a cardiologist who is specially trained to stop, or intervene in, a heart attack, using certain surgical procedures such as angioplasty that involve very small incisions. An interventional cardiologist has special training in the techniques required.
nurse anesthetist: a registered nurse with the extra education and training needed to provide anesthesia.
A nurse anesthetist must have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (or other appropriate bachelor's degree); at least one year's experience in critical care nursing; and completion of two to three years of Master's level graduate work, including both classroom and clinical studies, on the administration of anesthesia. They must pass a state licensing exam.
nurse case manager: the case manager who ensures that clinical care is provided in an effective and efficient way to make sure the patient's stay in the hospital goes smoothly.
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