CCT in Anaesthetics - Intermediate Level Training

Published: 05/09/2019

Vascular surgery

This is one of the ‘optional’ Intermediate level units of training; whilst trainees are not expected to gain practical experience in this area of practice, they should obtain the competencies identified in the knowledge section as this forms part of the FRCA curriculum and therefore may be assessed. Where vascular is available at the intermediate level, the skill competencies are identical to those defined for higher vascular. The difference between intermediate and higher vascular is that the core clinical learning outcome is under direct supervision for intermediate and distant supervision for higher.

Core clinical learning outcome:

  • To gain knowledge of the perioperative anaesthetic management of patients undergoing elective and emergency abdominal aortic surgery and newer stenting techniques
  • To anaesthetise patients for carotid endarterectomy and aortic aneurysm surgery with direct supervision

NB: All competencies annotated with the letter ‘E’ can be examined in any of the components of the Final examination identified in the FRCA examination blueprint section.

Knowledge

Competence

Description

Assessment

Methods

GMP

VS_IK_01

Recalls/describes the cardiovascular physiology and pharmacology relevant to perioperative vascular surgery

A,C,E

1

VS_IK_02

Lists the methods of assessment of the patient’s functional cardiovascular capacity 

C,E

1

VS_IK_03

Explains the preoperative management of the patient with atherosclerotic disease

C,E

1,2

VS_IK_04

Describes the perioperative management of the patient for major vascular surgery

A,C,E

1,2

VS_IK_05

Describes the resuscitation and management of major vascular accidents including the management of ruptured aortic aneurysms

C,E

1,2,3,4

VS_IK_06

Explains the management of patients for endovascular radiological procedures [e.g. Stenting] including anaesthesia in isolated locations [Cross reference non-theatre anaesthesia]

C,E

1,2,3,4

VS_IK_07

Describes the management of elective carotid artery surgery with general or regional anaesthesia

A,C,E

1,2,3,4

VS_IK_08

Explains the principles and anaesthetic implications of sympathectomy, including thoracoscopic procedures

C,E

1,2

VS_IK_09

Describes the postoperative management and critical care of vascular patients

C,E

1,2,3,4

VS_IK_10

Explains the effects of smoking on health

C,E

1,2,3,4

VS_IK_11

Recalls/describes the morbidity and mortality associated with vascular surgery

C,E

1,2,3,4

VS_IK_12

Recalls/explains the principles of blood conservation and red cell salvage when major haemorrhage is predicted

A,C,E

1,2

VS_IK_13

Recalls the pathophysiology of aortic cross-clamping and of renal protection strategies

A,C,E

1,2

Skills

Competence

Description

Assessment methods

GMP

VS_HS_01

Demonstrates the pre-operative assessment of vascular patients with coexisting disease

A,D,M

1,2,3,4

VS_HS_02

Performs the pre-operative optimisation of high risk vascular patients

A,C,D,M

1,2

VS_HS_03

Manages the effects of aortic clamping, including the implications of supra-renal or thoracic aortic clamping with distant supervision

A,D

1,2

VS_HS_04

Demonstrates safe peri-operative anaesthetic care of patients having combined surgical / radiological procedures, including those performed in isolated sites using either regional or general anaesthesia

A,,D,M

1,2,3,4

VS_HS_05

Demonstrates the ability to perform either general or regional anaesthesia safely and effectively for carotid artery surgery

A,D

1,2,3,4

VS_HS_06

Demonstrates the ability to perform safe and effective regional anaesthesia for vascular surgery including placement and management of thoracic and lumbar epidural, spinal and combined spinal –epidural

A,D

1,2,3,4