The evolution of cardiothoracic critical care

Abstract

Critical care has long been recognized as a core component of thoracic surgery and has evolved into a multidisciplinary specialty. Optimal CT critical care should employ a system-structured, issue-oriented approach using advanced information technology, and the team should ideally be led by the CT surgeon who performed the operation or a surgeon who is familiar with details of the case. The specialty requires dedicated training to master its unique body of knowledge. Certification through the ABTS is under consideration.