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The Atrium: Complications

Friday, December 12, 2025

By

Alice Copperwheat

In this episode of The Atrium, host Dr. Alice Copperwheat speaks with Dr. Samer Nashef, a consultant cardiac surgeon at Papworth Hospital in Cambridge, about complications in cardiothoracic surgery.  

They delve into early complications that trainees experience, approaches to managing acute complications, and nonacute and postoperative complications. They also highlight learning from complications, coping strategies, and the emotional impact involved in cardiothoracic surgery. Additionally, they discuss the concepts of growth, resilience, and strength in cardiothoracic surgery. Furthermore, Dr. Nashef provides advice to trainees currently navigating difficult cases, and general guidance for those in training.  

The Atrium is a monthly podcast presenting clinical and career-focused topics for residents and early career professionals across all cardiothoracic surgery subspecialties. Be sure to watch for next month’s episode!  

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Comments

Submitted by Edward Bender on
This interview was a joy to watch. Dr. Copperwheat did an excellent job of extracting personal experiences and feelings from a surgeon whom I’ve never met but whom I’ve respected for years. Dr. Nashef describes the need to recognize one’s responses to untoward events, and to manage your approach to problem-solving in a personal manner. This made me reflect on a career’s worth of complications, some of which feel like they happened yesterday. “Every surgeon carries within himself a small cemetery, where from time to time he goes to pray – a place of bitterness and regret, where he must look for an explanation for his failures.’ René Leriche, La philosophie de la chirurgie, 1951” This video gives a modern take on the above, whereby we can recognize and act and not just grieve.
Submitted by Alice Copperwheat on
Dear Dr Bender, thank you so much for your kind words. I am glad you enjoyed the episode. It is such a vital subject to discuss, and I am pleased that the video resonates with experienced surgeons like you, as well as trainees. Dr Nashef is undoubtedly an excellent role model.

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