Thoracic Anesthesiology

Division Director: Dr. Jay Berger

Message from the Division Director:

The Division of Thoracic Anesthesiology specializes in providing patients with the latest evidence-based anesthesiology care. Our scope of care includes patients undergoing thoracic and esophageal surgery, as well as diagnostic and therapeutic procedures such as esophagogastroduodenoscopy and bronchoscopy. We work in close conjunction with Montefiore Einstein’s Thoracic Surgery and Invasive Pulmonology divisions to ensure the best individualized care for our patients.

Clinical Excellence

The Division of Thoracic Anesthesiology is committed to patient-centered care in the diagnostics and treatment of patients with complex respiratory and pulmonological conditions. We provide anesthesia services for patients undergoing thoracic surgeries, including esophageal surgeries and lung resections. In addition, we manage anesthesia services for interventional pulmonology, which consists of advanced diagnostic and therapeutic bronchoscopy and pleural procedures. These include ultrasound-guided biopsy, endobronchial valve placement, and bronchoplasty.

Multidisciplinary Collaboration

Our thoracic anesthesiologists work closely with the Montefiore Einstein divisions of Thoracic Surgery, Surgical Oncology and Interventional Pulmonology. Treating patients with complex thoracic conditions requires a multidisciplinary approach with collaboration between anesthesiologists, thoracic surgeons, and interventional pulmonologists. Our thoracic anesthesiologists communicate frequently with Dr. Ali Sadoughi, Director of Interventional Pulmonology and Bronchoscopy, and Dr. Brendon Stiles, Chief of the Division of Thoracic Surgery and Surgical Oncology, to ensure we provide the highest quality of care throughout the periprocedural or perioperative period.

Education and Training

Our CA2 and CA3 residents complete a Thoracic Anesthesiology Rotation, which allows them to hone their skills in anesthesia management for patients undergoing complex thoracic surgeries and procedures. During the rotation, residents will learn the intricacies of one-lung ventilation, utilizing double-lumen endotracheal tubes and bronchial blockers. Residents will also become more familiar with bronchoscopy procedures.

Research

The Montefiore Einstein Anesthesiology Digital Health Research Lab has conducted extensive research on improving patient outcomes in regard to respiratory failure. For patients undergoing thoracic surgeries and procedures it is essential to implement evidence-based best practices to reduce the risk of respiratory complications. One of these research initiatives is the creation of an automated prediction tool to determine which patients are at the highest risk of postoperative respiratory complications. By integrating our clinical and scientific activities, we have already made strides in improving the outcomes of patients who are vulnerable to breathing complications during and after surgery.

Meet the Thoracic Anesthesiology Division Team.