Cross-Sectional Study on Structural Heart Training Experiences in Cardiothoracic Residency Programs

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has surpassed surgical aortic valve replacements in volume since TAVR is now approved for patients of all surgical risk categories. This article evaluated trainees and program directors to assess current training patterns and comfort levels regarding catheter-based interventions. A majority of trainees had a mean of 2.8 months on dedicated catheter-based rotations, although often serving as assistants. Only a minority of residents across the board felt comfortable performing these procedures (12 percent with dedicated rotations and 10 percent without). The authors highlight the increasing need for a more robust catheter-based intervention curriculum to aid with training the upcoming generation of cardiothoracic surgeons.