CHF from Diastolic Dysfunction in a Patient Presenting Preoperatively for an Elective Surgery

Abstract Introduction This human patient simulation focuses on the preoperative evaluation, assessment, and treatment of a man presenting for a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Methods Presimulation material focuses the participants on the procedure and its anesthetic considerations, but the simulated patient is in congestive heart failure (CHF). Participants should recognize the condition, cancel the surgery, begin treatment, and arrange for long-term care follow-up. Results This simulation has not yet been formally evaluated, but medical students who have performed this simulation enjoy it tremendously and report learning important fundamental lessons about being a physician (i.e., performing a thorough and adequate work up on their own without being biased by prior assessments). Discussion This is a simple and enjoyable scenario that covers a common pathophysiology and an area of anesthetic care that is not often addressed in undergraduate or graduate medical education. The scenario could be performed with standardized patients, a METI or SimMan HPS, a Harvey Simulator, or a combination of all of them. Future directions include the assessment of several elements of competency addressed within this scenario.