2023
I undertook a two-year fellowship at the University of Toronto in advanced aortic surgery, comprising one year in cardiac surgery and one year in vascular surgery. Prior to commencing the fellowship, I had relatively limited exposure to cardiac surgery, and the experience provided exceptional multidisciplinary training across both specialties.
By completion of the fellowship, I had performed or acted as primary assistant in well over 100 fenestrated and branched endovascular aneurysm repairs (F/BEVAR), alongside a similar number of thoracic endovascular aortic repairs (TEVARs). In addition, I assisted in approximately 20–30 open thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repairs, as well as frozen elephant trunk procedures, Ross procedures, coronary artery bypass grafting, and complex lower limb revascularisation procedures, both open and endovascular.
The fellowship also provided extensive exposure to multidisciplinary perioperative decision-making and critical care management. I regularly attended combined cardiac and vascular aortic rounds and worked closely with cardiac intensivists within a 30-bed cardiac intensive care unit.
Alongside the clinical experience, I was fortunate to undertake a number of academic projects during the fellowship, resulting in multiple peer-reviewed publications. I also co-authored a chapter in Rutherford’s Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy relating to the management of aortic rupture.
Overall, the fellowship provided a unique and invaluable training experience in complex aortic disease and multidisciplinary cardiovascular care. I remain extremely grateful to the BSET Travel Fellowship for making this opportunity possible and for their generous support throughout my training.
I would strongly recommend this fellowship to anyone pursuing a career in complex aortic surgery, given the breadth of operative exposure, multidisciplinary collaboration, and academic opportunity it provides. I would also be more than happy to discuss my experiences in greater detail with any future applicants considering the programme.