Cardiothoracic surgery

MRCS candidates should:

• Have a knowledge of the surgical conditions listed below

• Know the principles of investigations used by the speciality

• Know the principles of the main surgical procedures used

Haemodynamic control

• Haemodynamic principles

• Cardiovascular homeostasis

• Pharmacological haemodynamic control

Cardiac surgery

• Surgical disorders of the heart valves

• Coronary artery bypass surgery

• Cardiopulmonary bypass

• Intra-aortic balloon pump

• Endocarditis

• Cardiac transplantation

Thoracic trauma

• Pathophysiology of thoracic trauma

• Presentation, assessment and management

• Specific thoracic injuries

Thoracotomy and chest drainage

• Assessment and preparation

• Indications for thoracotomy

• Chest drainage and pericardiocentesis

Surgical disorders of the lung

• Lung cancer

• Thymomas

Complications of thoracic operations

• General complications

• Specific complications

Pneumothorax and empyema

• Pneumothorax

• Empyema and lung abscess