Attending consultant Cardiac Anesthesia
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Last updated on 27 Jan 2026
Overview
An Attending Consultant Cardiac Anesthesiologist is a senior super-specialty anesthesia professional responsible for delivering advanced anesthesia care for cardiac, cardiothoracic, and major vascular surgeries. This role involves independent clinical decision-making, leadership in operating rooms and cardiac ICUs, and management of high-risk adult and pediatric cardiac patients.
Attending Consultants play a pivotal role in perioperative cardiac care, including preoperative risk assessment, intraoperative anesthetic management during complex cardiac surgeries, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) guidance, postoperative critical care, and emergency cardiac anesthesia support. They also supervise junior anesthesiologists, fellows, and residents, while contributing to protocol development, quality assurance, and clinical governance.
This is a high-responsibility and highly respected position, typically attained after several years of focused experience in cardiac anesthesia.
Job Description
- Provide expert cardiac anaesthesia care during surgical procedures
- Monitor and manage patient vital signs and anaesthesia depth throughout surgeries
- Administer specialised anaesthetic agents tailored to cardiac surgery requirements
- Collaborate closely with cardiac surgeons and perfusionists to ensure optimal patient outcomes
- Supervise anaesthesia residents and fellows during cardiac cases
- Participate in on-call rotations for emergency cardiac procedures
- Contribute to research and academic activities within the cardiac anaesthesia field
- Ensure compliance with safety protocols and regulatory standards
Key Skills for this Job Role
Cardiac Surgery
Cardiac Medications
Cardiac Monitoring
Cardiac Procedures
Cardiac Catheterization
Cardiac Anesthesia Expertise
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FAQS
What qualifications are required to become an Attending Consultant in Cardiac Anesthesia?
To become an Attending Consultant in Cardiac Anesthesia, a candidate must complete MBBS, followed by MD or DNB in Anesthesiology. This is usually followed by DM Cardiac Anesthesia, DNB Cardiac Anesthesia, or a recognized fellowship in Cardiac Anesthesia. Significant post-super-specialty clinical experience in cardiac anesthesia is essential.
Which courses are best for becoming an Attending Consultant Cardiac Anesthesiologist?
The most suitable courses include MD/DNB Anesthesiology as the core qualification, followed by DM Cardiac Anesthesia, DNB Cardiac Anesthesia, or Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Cardiac Anesthesia. Certification in Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE) and advanced critical care training are considered highly beneficial.
What procedures does an Attending Consultant Cardiac Anesthesiologist perform?
They manage anesthesia for procedures such as coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), valve repair and replacement surgeries, congenital heart defect surgeries, aortic surgeries, heart transplantation, ventricular assist device implantation, and minimally invasive cardiac surgeries. They also perform invasive monitoring, TEE-guided intraoperative assessment, and advanced hemodynamic management.
How does an Attending Consultant ensure patient safety during cardiac surgeries?
Patient safety is ensured through comprehensive preoperative assessment, meticulous anesthetic planning, continuous invasive monitoring, adherence to cardiac anesthesia protocols, effective communication with surgeons and perfusionists, and vigilant postoperative ICU management.
Why is cardiac anesthesia considered a highly specialized field?
Cardiac anesthesia requires in-depth understanding of cardiac physiology, pharmacology, cardiopulmonary bypass, and rapid crisis management, as even minor errors can have life-threatening consequences during cardiac procedures.
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FAQS
What qualifications are required to become an Attending Consultant in Cardiac Anesthesia?
Required qualifications include MBBS, MD or DNB Anesthesiology, followed by DM/DNB Cardiac Anesthesia or equivalent fellowship, along with substantial hands-on experience in cardiac surgical anesthesia.
Which courses are best for becoming an Attending Consultant Cardiac Anesthesiologist?
The best courses are MD/DNB Anesthesiology, DM Cardiac Anesthesia, DNB Cardiac Anesthesia, and structured fellowships in cardiac anesthesia, along with TEE certification and critical care training.
What is the salary of an Attending Consultant Cardiac Anesthesiologist in India?
In India, Attending Consultant Cardiac Anesthesiologists typically earn between ₹25 lakh and ₹60 lakh per annum, depending on experience, surgical volume, hospital reputation, city, and on-call responsibilities.
What skills are required for an Attending Consultant Cardiac Anesthesiologist?
This role demands advanced technical, clinical, and leadership skills, particularly in managing complex cardiac cases and emergencies.
Is Attending Consultant Cardiac Anesthesia a good career option?
Yes, it is an excellent career option due to high professional demand, strong compensation, academic opportunities, and long-term career stability, especially in tertiary and quaternary care centers.
Average Salary among Countries
| Country | Min. Salary Per Month | Max. Salary Per Month |
|---|---|---|
| USA | USD 350000 | USD 600000 |
| United Kingdom | GBP 100000 | GBP 190000 |
| UAE | AED 400000 | AED 750000 |
| Canada | CAD 300000 | CAD 550000 |
| Australia | AUD 320000 | AUD 580000 |
| India | INR 2500000 | INR 6000000 |
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