What does a cardiothoracic anesthesiologist do?

A Cardiothoracic Anesthesiologist is a physician who specializes in providing anesthesia for surgeries involving the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels. They manage pain, monitor vital signs, and ensure the patient remains stable during complex procedures such as open-heart surgery, lung transplants, and aortic repairs. Their expertise includes advanced airway management, ventilation strategies, and the use of specialized techniques like transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) to assess heart function in real time.