Tee

Have never had a CRNA perform one at any of my jobs. Cardiologist always does it - anesthesia is just there for the sedation/airway help.

TEE can be performed intraop by CRNAs, especially those who provide anesthesia for thoracic cases.

Is it common for CRNAs to provide anesthesia for thoracic cases?

Is it common for CRNAs to provide anesthesia for thoracic cases?

yes it is common.

Is it common for CRNAs to provide anesthesia for thoracic cases?

It all depends on the practice. In my current practice I do thoracic cases such as lobectomies and wedge resections that require double lumen endotracheal tubes that allow you to isolate a lung to ventilate while dropping the other for surgical intervention. We do not do thoracic open heart cases such as CABG or valve replacements that would typically involve use of a TEE. However, there are CRNAs that do specialize in that type of anesthesia, known as cardiac anesthesia.

Are CRNAs who do thoracic cases usually supervised by an anesthesiologist, or do independently practicing CRNAs do thoracic cases, too?

It all depends on the practice. In my current practice I do thoracic cases such as lobectomies and wedge resections that require double lumen endotracheal tubes that allow you to isolate a lung to ventilate while dropping the other for surgical intervention. We do not do thoracic open heart cases such as CABG or valve replacements that would typically involve use of a TEE. However, there are CRNAs that do specialize in that type of anesthesia, known as cardiac anesthesia.

Thanks for your response. Is cardiac anesthesia common among CRNAs or is it more common for an anesthesiologist (physician) to administer? From what I've read, it sounds like CRNAs practicing independently are more likely to do "bread and butter" cases rather than cardiac or neuro anesthesia. Is that true?

Thanks!

There are a variety of practice settings available. I encourage you to check out the AANA website, they provide great resources and LINKS to some really excellent CRNA specific information.

where I just trained there were 3 cardiac rooms staffed with crna's supervised by one anesthesiologist. The crnas would page the MD when the tee was to be used but they also started the process while the MD was in route and also sometimes tied up in another room.

Do independent CRNAs do cardiac cases, or only under the supervision of an anesthesiologist?

I do cardiac anesthesia at my facillity under the supervision of an anesthesiologist. Even our anesthesioligists aren't really subspeciality trained to read TEEs-- when we do use one for a valve case we utilize a cardiologist in the OR to read it.