The specialist in Cardiac Surgery must have gained theoretical, scientific and professional knowledge in the field of pathophysiology, functional semeiotics, pathology and clinical surgery of the cardiovascular system; Surgery of congenital malformations of the heart, surgery of the large vessels of the chest, heart transplantation and the use of auxiliary or substitute mechanical systems of the heart, the principles and techniques of extracorporeal circulation and the use of advanced technologies in cardiovascular surgery are also specific fields of expertise.

Basic objectives: the student must learn in-depth knowledge of anatomy, pathophysiology, and pathological anatomy of the thoracic organs and the cardiovascular system; must learn the knowledge necessary for the epidemiological evaluation and systematization of clinical data, also through the use of computer systems;

educational objectives of the type of School: the student must acquire fundamental knowledge of surgical anatomy, surgery and surgical technique, including problems related to the organization and environmental hygiene of operating rooms, surgical instruments and materials.

The resident must acquire in-depth knowledge of all the pathological processes affecting the heart and large vessels, of the methods of instrumental clinical evaluation with particular reference to angiographic and echo-cardiographic investigations, of the surgical solutions recognized as effective in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, both from a technical point of view and from an indication point of view.

The resident must learn the relevant aspects of anesthesia and the appropriate knowledge in the postoperative treatment of cardiac surgery patients.

He must acquire the methods of evaluation of surgical indications also with the use of methods of surgical risk stratification and appropriate evaluation of risk-benefit relationships.

Integrated training objectives (i.e. common trunk): the student must acquire in-depth knowledge of anatomy, clinical biochemistry, pathophysiology and pharmacology; knowledge suitable for the epidemiological assessment and classification of clinical cases, also through computerised systems; practical experience necessary for the correct clinical evaluation of a patient on the basis of knowledge of the etiopathogenetic mechanisms of morbid processes, the related anatomical-pathological aspects, and the microbiological and haematological implications; deepening of knowledge of scientific English. The resident must also acquire the knowledge of Surgical Anatomy necessary for objective clinical examination and operative medicine; the principles of asepsis and the problems inherent in the organization and environmental hygiene of operating rooms; knowledge of surgical instruments and suture materials; traditional and alternative surgical techniques and methods; the basic knowledge and related practical experience, necessary to define and personally verify, on the basis of the overall assessment of the disease and the patient, a correct definition of the cardiac, thoracic or vascular pathology in individual patients and the indication of the most suitable type of treatment, according to the risks, benefits and expected results for each individual patient; learning of theoretical-practical knowledge for the preoperative and postoperative therapy (including intensive care) of surgical diseases related to the specialties, so that the resident can be able to face and solve the problems related to the setting and management of the immediate postoperative course and remote controls. On the basis of an overall assessment of the disease, he must be able to personally deal with the execution of elective and urgent surgical acts. The resident must acquire: the basic knowledge and experience necessary to diagnose and set up the treatment of the pathologies within the competence of the class, in an overall view of the priorities in cases of multiple pathologies or injuries, in patients who require the necessary use of other relevant specialist afferents; knowledge of the medico-legal aspects related to one's profession and of the set of laws, rules and regulations governing health care; the ability to organize and manage his or her activity as a surgeon in relation to the characteristics of the structures in which he or she will be called upon to operate.

The following are similar or supplementary objectives:

The student must learn the basic knowledge and experience necessary to recognize and, as far as he or she is competent, treat pathologies referable to the field of other specialties, particularly in situations where treatment cannot be postponed. He must achieve the ability to comprehensively frame multi-specialty problems by correctly defining treatment priorities in the presence of multiple pathologies and injuries.

He must also learn the medical-legal aspects related to the specialist class and the laws and regulations governing health care

The following are compulsory professionalizing activities to achieve the purposes of the typology:

Clinical activity :

• attendance for at least one trimester in general and/or emergency surgery wards
• attendance for at least one trimester in thoracic surgery and vascular surgery departments

General surgical activity:

• participation as first in 10 cases of major surgery, 15 of medium surgery and 30 of small surgery

Thoracovascular surgical activity:

• participation as an operator in 10 cases of major surgery, 15 of medium surgery and 30 of minor surgery;

Cardiac Surgical Activity:

• attendance for at least one trimester in the Paediatric Cardiac Surgery Department
• attendance for at least one trimester in the Centre with cardiac transplant activities and cardiovascular mechanical assistance
• frequency for at least one trimester in active transcatheter valve therapy and minimally invasive valve surgery
• participation as first operator in 10 cases of major surgery, 20 of medium surgery and 100 of minor surgery;
• participation as second operator in 50 cases of major surgery and 80 of medium surgery and 200 of minor surgery.

He will be able to compete for the diploma after completing the surgical activity.

The student will be able to compete for the diploma after completing the professionalizing activities.

As part of the training course, the student will have to learn the scientific bases of the type of School in order to achieve full maturity and professional competence that includes an adequate ability to interpret scientific innovations and critical knowledge that allows him to consciously manage both assistance and his own updating; In this context, participation in meetings, congresses and the production of scientific publications and periods of attendance in qualified Italian and foreign institutions useful for his/her training may be envisaged.