Practice improves performance on a coronary anastomosis simulator, attending surgeon supervision does not.

Objectives: Enthusiasm for simulation early in cardiothoracic surgery training is growing, yet evidence demonstrating its utility is limited. We examined the effect of supervised and unsupervised training on coronary anastomosis performance in a randomized trial among medical students.

Methods: Forty-five medical students were recruited for this single-blinded, randomized controlled trial using a low-fidelity simulator.

Sustained supervised practice on a coronary anastomosis simulator increases medical student interest in surgery, unsupervised practice does not.

Background: Given declining interest in cardiothoracic (CT) training programs during the last decade, increasing emphasis has been placed on engaging candidates early in their training. We examined the effect of supervised and unsupervised practice on medical students' interest in CT surgery.

Methods: Forty-five medical students participated in this study.

Idiopathic massive left ventricular thrombus in HIV patient.

A 47-year old man with HIV presented with a stroke. Imaging revealed a large mobile left-ventricular thrombus. The mass was resected using a small ventriculotomy with good early postoperative prognosis.