Acceso a la cirugía cardíaca en Colombia: un análisis situacional / Access to cardiac surgery in Colombia: a situational analysis

Resumen Introducción: Aproximadamente el 33% de los pacientes con enfermedades cardiovasculares requerirán cirugía cardíaca al menos una vez en la vida; sin embargo, menos de una cuarta parte de la población mundial tiene acceso a la atención quirúrgica cardíaca cuando la necesita. A pesar del progreso que ha tenido Colombia en cuanto a la prestación de atención quirúrgica cardíaca en las últimas décadas, se sabe poco sobre el acceso a la atención cardíaca en todo el país. Por lo tanto, la cirugía global busca estudiar y construir sobre la situación actual en áreas de acceso limitado a la atención médica quirúrgica y fortalecer los sistemas de salud. Objetivo: Describir la situación actual en Colombia en términos de personal quirúrgico y de infraestructura disponible, para entender mejor las brechas existentes en el acceso a la atención quirúrgica cardíaca para las poblaciones necesitadas. Materiales y método: Los datos sobre la fuerza laboral de la cirugía cardiaca se obtuvieron a partir de una encuesta a cirujanos registrados en el directorio de cirugía cardíaca y la Red de Cirugía Cardiotorácica de Colombia, en tanto que los de procedimientos del 2018 al 2019, se obtuvieron de los datos del gobierno nacional. Resultados: En Colombia había 110 cirujanos cardíacos o 1.8 cirujanos cardíacos por millón de habitantes, de los cuales el 85% eran hombres. Las densidades en cada uno de los 32 departamentos de Colombia variaron desde 4.6 cirujanos por millón de habitantes (Bogotá), a ningún cirujano en 14 departamentos. Se registraron 52 instituciones, con una mediana de 250 camas (rango intercuartílico 130-350). Uno de cada cinco departamentos de cirugía cardíaca ofreció un programa de subespecialidad en cirugía cardíaca. La revascularización miocárdica fue el procedimiento realizado con mayor frecuencia. Conclusiones: Este estudio identificó datos sobre la situación actual de la cirugía cardíaca en Colombia. A pesar de la disponibilidad relativamente favorable de mano de obra quirúrgica cardíaca en Colombia, la variación geográfica y los factores sociales y económicos apuntan a una necesidad urgente de evaluar las políticas de calidad de atención relacionadas con la atención quirúrgica cardíaca en poblaciones desatendidas.

Abstract Introduction: Approximately 33% of patients with cardiovascular diseases will require heart surgery at least once in their lifetime; yet, less than a quarter of the world’s population has access to cardiac surgical care when needed. Despite Colombia’s progress in cardiac surgical care delivery in recent decades, little is known regarding access to cardiac care across the country. Therefore, global surgery seeks to study and build upon the current situation in areas of limited access to surgical healthcare and to strengthen health systems. Objetive: Describe the current situation in Colombia in terms of surgical personnel and available infrastructure, to better understand the existing gaps in access to cardiac surgical care for populations in need. Materials and method: Data on the cardiac surgical workforce were obtained from a survey of surgeons registered in the cardiac surgery directory and the Cardiothoracic Surgery Network in Colombia. Procedural data from 2018-2019 were obtained from national government data. Results: There were 110 cardiac surgeons or 1.8 cardiac surgeons per million inhabitants in Colombia, of which 85.0% were male. Densities in each of the 32 departments of Colombia varied from 4.6 surgeons per million inhabitants (Bogotá) to no surgeons in 14 departments. There were 52 institutions registered, with a median of 250 beds (interquartile range 130-350). One in five cardiac surgery departments offered a certified cardiac surgery fellowship program. Coronary artery bypass grafting was the most frequently performed procedure. Conclusions: This study identified data regarding the current situation of cardiac surgery in Colombia. Despite relatively favorable cardiac surgical workforce availability in Colombia, geographical variation and social and economic factors point to an urgent need to evaluate the quality-of-care policies related to cardiac surgical care in underserved populations.

Global Cardiac Surgery in Brazil: A Call to Action

ABSTRACT Global Cardiac Surgery is an innovative initiative with a focus on improving health outcomes and achieving healthcare equity for individuals worldwide affected by cardiac surgical conditions or in need of cardiac surgical care. Considering the existing disparities in access to cardiac surgery and the substantial burden of cardiac conditions amenable to surgical procedures in Brazil, it is imperative to support and scale Global Cardiac Surgery initiatives and leave no Brazilian patient behind. Here, we advocate for national initiatives within this field and highlight opportunities and challenges to support their development.

Perspectives in Training and Professional Practice of Cardiac Surgery in Latin America

ABSTRACT Introduction: There is a lack of information about cardiac surgery training and professional practice in Latin American (LATAM) countries. This study is the first comparative analysis of cardiac surgical training and professional practice across LATAM and provides the fundamentals for future academic projects of the Latin American Association of Cardiac and Endovascular Surgery (LACES). Methods: International survey-based comparative analysis of the training and professional practice of cardiac surgeons across LATAM. Trainees (residents/fellows) and staf (graduated) surgeons from LATAM countries were included. Results: A total of 289 respondents (staf surgeons N=221 [76.5%]; residents/fellows N=68 [23.5%]) from 18 different countries participated in the survey. Most surgeons (N=92 [45.3%]) reported being unsatisfied with their salaries. Most respondents (N=181 [62.6%]) stated that it was difficult to obtain a leadership position, and 149 (73.8%) stated that it was difficult to find a job after completing training. Only half of the trainee respondents (N=32 [47.1%]) reported that their program had all resident spots occupied. Only 22.1% (N=15) of residents/fellows were satisfied with their training programs. The majority (N=205 [70.9%]) of respondents would choose cardiac surgery as their specialty again. Most surgeons (N=129 [63.9%]) and residents/fellows (N=52 [76.5%]) indicated that the establishment of a LATAM cardiac surgery board examination would be beneficial. Conclusion: Modernization and standardization of training, as well as greater access to opportunities, may be required in LATAM to increase professional satisfaction of cardiac surgeons and to reduce disparities in the specialty. Such changes may enhance the regional response to the dynamic challenges in the feld.

Open Access and Article Processing Charges in Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery Journals: a Cross-Sectional Analysis

Abstract Introduction: Open access (OA) publishing often requires article processing charges (APCs). While OA provides opportunities for broader readership, authors able to afford APCs are more commonly associated with well-funded, high-income country institutions, skewing knowledge dissemination. Here, we evaluate publishing models, OA practices, and APCs in cardiology and cardiac surgery. Methods: The InCites Journal Citation Reports 2019 directory by Clarivate Analytics was searched for "Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems" journals. Sister journals of included journals were identified. All journals were categorized as predominantly cardiology or cardiac surgery. Publishing models, APCs, and APC waivers were defined for all journals. Results: One hundred sixty-one journals were identified (139 cardiology, 22 cardiac surgery). APCs ranged from $244 to $5,000 ($244-5,000 cardiology; $383-3,300 cardiac surgery), with mean $2,911±891 and median $3,000 (interquartile range [IQR]: $2,500-3,425) across 139 journals with non-zero available APCs ($2,970±890, median $3,000, IQR: $2,573-3,450, cardiology; $2,491±799, median $2,740, IQR: $2,300-3,000, cardiac surgery). Average APCs were $3,307±566 and median $3,250 (IQR: $3,000-3,500) for hybrid journals ($3,344±583, median $3,260, IQR: $3,000-3,690, cardiology; $2,983±221, median $2,975, IQR: $2,780-3,149, cardiac surgery) and $1,997±832 and median $2,100 (IQR: $1,404-2,538) for fully OA journals ($2,039±843, median $2,100, IQR: $1,419-2,604, cardiology; $1,788±805, median $2,000, IQR: $1,475-2,345, cardiac surgery). Waivers were available for 51 (86.4%) fully OA and 37 (37.4%) hybrid journals. Seventeen journals were fully OA without APCs, one journal did not yet release APCs, and four journals were subscription-only. Conclusion: OA publishing is common in cardiology and cardiac surgery with substantial APCs. Waivers remain limited, posing barriers for unfunded and lesser-funded researchers.