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Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2018; 66(08): 661-666
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1668598
Special Report
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Establishing Sustainable Cardiothoracic Surgery Programs in Underserved Countries

Kathleen Fenton
1   Novick Cardiac Alliance, Memphis, United States
,
Marcelo Cardarelli
1   Novick Cardiac Alliance, Memphis, United States
,
Frank Molloy
1   Novick Cardiac Alliance, Memphis, United States
,
William Novick
1   Novick Cardiac Alliance, Memphis, United States
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

14 June 2018

09 July 2018

Publication Date:
24 August 2018 (online)

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Abstract

Congenital heart disease is the most common birth defect worldwide, and accounts for a high proportion of the world's infant mortality. About 9 of every 10 babies born each year are born in areas without adequate access to heart surgery; overcoming this problem will necessitate addressing the worldwide shortage of an estimated 3,700 pediatric cardiac surgeons. Establishing sustainable heart surgery programs requires more than an investment of money: political, social, and cultural issues unique to each environment need to be addressed. Organizations desiring to help develop cardiac surgical centers need to focus on communication and bidirectional education, and to make a long-term commitment to each site. By identifying and addressing obstacles, success rates are high.

Keywords

congenital heart surgery - developing countries - humanitarian
 

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