Cardiac Anesthesia & Echocardiography

Subspecialty certification in adult cardiac anesthesiology (ACA) was approved in 2021, with the first exam administered in December 2023 (content outline).

Certification in Basic and Advanced Perioperative Transesophageal Echocardiography is offered through the National Board of Echocardiography. See the FAQ.

The Basic certification is intended for non-diagnostic monitoring within the customary practice of anesthesiology. It is not sufficient for making diagnoses that require cardiac surgical intervention. Diplomates must:

Complete 150 basic perioperative TEE exams, 50 of which must be personally performed and interpreted under supervision
Pass the Basic PTEeXAM, a computer-based multiple choice exam.

The Advanced certification is intended for full diagnostic use including direction of the perioperative surgical decision making process. Diplomates must:

Complete a 12-month ACGME-approved cardiac anesthesiology fellowship.
Complete 300 comprehensive perioperative TEE exams, 150 of which must be personally performed and interpreted under supervision
Pass the Advanced PTEeXAM, a computer-based multiple choice exam.

Excellent virtual TEE simulator from the Toronto General Hospital Department of Anesthesia

Online lecture series and question bank from the University of Utah

Open Anesthesia Basic Course in TEE

American Society of Echocardiography (ASE)

Cardiac links from the Canadian Society of Echocardiogrpahy

Discussion threads at Student Doctor Network:

Echo board commercial prep courses: