Workforce Development: Introduction to Cardiac Surgery

This is a class designed for critical care nurses with a good working knowledge of hemodynamic monitoring.  The following will be discussed:

Hemodynamic impact of surgical cardiac diseases, including atherosclerosis, valvular stenoses and insufficiencies, common cardiac surgeries, physiologic impact of cardiopulmonary bypass, common rescue strategies for the post-op heart, including inotropes, manipulation of preload, afterload, and mechanical support, review of emergency sternotomy procedure.

The class requires completion of a Computer Based Learning module (approximately 1 hour in length) prior to attending the class.

8 CE hours will be awarded upon course completion.