The cardiovascular physician assistant: the angel in the room.

摘要

Cardiothoracic surgery has evolved into a highly specialized, technically demanding, emotionally challenging, meticulously (sometimes over-) analyzed, publicly visible, often life-saving, yet still life-threatening surgical "sport." As in all sports, winning the "game" requires a highly organized team effort. In cardiothoracic surgery that team is made up of surgeons, cardiologists, anesthesiologists, nurses, (sometimes) fellows or residents, perfusionists, surgical technicians—and, of course, the indispensible cardiovascular physician assistants, or CVPAs.