Special Interest Groups

CASSA - Welcome

Introduction

At the Paediatric Anaesthesia Congress South Africa (PACSA) 2010, held in Sandton on the 6^th and 7^th November, a group of anaesthesiologists interested in paediatric and adult cardiac and thoracic anaesthesia expressed the wish to form a special interest group to promote and develop cardiac anaesthesia in South Africa. At the national SASA congress held in Johannesburg on the 28^th of March 2011 this special interest group was officially inaugurated.

Name

The special interest group for cardiac anaesthesia is named Cardiothoracic Anaesthesia Society of South Africa (CASSA).

Affiliation

CASSA is affiliated to the South African Society of Anaesthesiologists and registered as one of the special interest groups within SASA.

Mission Statement

Promote the science and practice of cardiac and thoracic anesthesia and formally develop echocardiography training for anaesthesiologists in South Africa.

Structure

At the SASA 2011 inauguration a working committee was established. At the first national CASSA meeting to be held or else at the next national SASA congress (2012) a formally elected committee will be chosen by CASSA members.

The working committee is made up of a general team in addition to an echocardiography team. It is as follows:

Chairperson: Dr. Stephanie Fischer

ViceChairperson: Dr. Nathi Mdladla

Secretary: Dr. Adriaan Myburgh

Treasurer: Dr. Antony Keene

CASSA- ECHO:

Dr. Antony Keene

Dr. Edwin Turton

Dr. Johannes van der Westhuizen

Prof. Analee Milner

Thoracics: Dr. Nicholas Brouckaert

CASSA will be constituted at the first annual CASSA meeting in November 2011 or else at the 2012 SASA congress. Membership is open to all registered SASA members with a special interest in cardiac and thoracic anaesthesia. This is an interim measure and membership will likely be broadened in the future to include non-SASA anaesthesiologists, members of other related specialities as well as international members.

Goals of CASSA

Short term goals (6-12mnths)

Enable effective communication between members

Establish an outline for Echocardiography training and accreditation of anaesthetists in South Africa

Establish an annual CASSA Meeting.

Medium term goals (time frame 18 months)

Conduct audits of all cardiac cases done in all major centers

Establish a central database of cardiac anaesthetics based on audits done

Actively encourage all members to participate in activities of cardiac interest groups in other specialities (e.g. The Heart Association of SA)

Long term goals (time frame 2-3years)

Provide guidelines regarding the conduct of, and standards of care in cardiac anaesthesia

Develop definitive educational programs and academic accreditation in all matters regarding cardiac anaesthesia (including TOE training and accreditation)

Stimulation, coordination and collaboration of research initiatives with the eventual formation of a clearly defined Southern African research 'pocket' in cardiac anaesthesia