Vascular Operations Performed by Cardiothoracic Surgeons: The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Survey

Background: Many cardiothoracic surgeons supplement their case volume through the performance of vascular surgical procedures. Information regarding this practice is not well defined.

Methods: In January of 2013, a survey was conducted of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) membership to assess the performance of vascular operations by cardiothoracic surgeons.

Results: The overall response rate was 8.7%. Of the surgeons practicing vascular surgery, 60% were aged 45 to 64 years and 92% were male. Eleven percent of surgeons are board certified in vascular surgery, and 61% have been practicing 16 or more years, with 33% practicing in the southern United States. Twenty-two percent of surgeons stated that at least 30% of their practice was devoted to vascular surgery. Eighty-one percent of respondents would like to see vascular surgery training become part of the formal curriculum for cardiothoracic surgery education, and 90% said that cardiothoracic surgery education should offer a cardiovascular track with emphasis on thoracic and vascular surgery, including endovascular surgery.

Conclusions: This survey provides expanded data on the performance and breadth of practice of vascular surgery by the STS membership.