ANES 74Q: Mending a Broken Heart: The Anatomy, Physiology, and Psychology of Congenital Heart Disease
General Education Requirements
Not currently certified for a requirement. Courses are typically considered for Ways certification a quarter in advance.
Course Description
Congenital heart defects are the most common type of birth defects and with improvements in surgical techniques and medical care these babies are living longer and healthier lives. Data indicates that approximately 1 million U.S. children and 1.2 million U.S. adults are living with congenital heart disease. Treating congenital heart disease requires an intimate understanding of complex embryology, anatomy, and physiology.
In this seminar, we will look at the fascinating spectrum of anatomical changes that occur in some common congenital heart defects and how these changes can be corrected with various surgical procedures and medical care. Lectures will draw from real patient cases and students will have the opportunity to visit the Stanford Anatomy Lab, engage with virtual reality models of the heart, learn the basics of cardiac ultrasound, and hear from some of the frontline anesthesiologists, surgeons, cardiologists, and patients who straddle the line between life and death on a daily basis.
Meet the Instructors: Manchula Navaratnam, Michael Ma, & Catherine Dietrich
Manchula Navaratnam
"I am a pediatric cardiac anesthesiologist and have been working at Stanford Children's Hospital for the last 12 years. I graduated from Edinburgh University medical school and trained in anesthesia and intensive care medicine in the United Kingdom before embarking on a career in pediatric cardiac anesthesia. Throughout my career I have been actively engaged in teaching and directing courses on a local, regional, national and international level. I am always honored and humbled to care for children and adults with congenital heart disease. Not only am I continually fascinated by the combination of anatomy, physiology and pathology encountered in congenital heart disease, I am always amazed by the bravery, resilience and adaptability of these children and their parents. Together with my co-instructors and colleagues I am looking forward to the opportunity to introduce you to the diverse world of children with congenital heart disease."
Michael Ma
“Hello! I remember fondly my own time as an undergraduate on The Farm, and the unique and intimate learning environment that the Introductory Seminars can provide. After completing a BS in Chemical Engineering, I spent a few years in management consulting before embarking on the long, at times arduous, but ultimately very rewarding path to becoming a physician. My focus now is on the surgical management of children born with heart disease, in clinical practice, translational research, and the ongoing education of future surgeons and other likeminded individuals who would like to contribute to the cause. Hope that this IntroSem can become one of many highlights in your time here!”
Catherine Dietrich
"I first arrived at Stanford for a year-long fellowship in pediatric anesthesiology in the middle of 2020. I knew I had always enjoyed learning about physiology, and I found congenital heart disease particularly interesting because it challenges a lot of the assumptions we make about how the human body works. Four years later, I’m now one of the pediatric cardiac anesthesiologists at Stanford Children’s Hospital. The unique physiology and stories of our congenital heart patients means every day presents a new challenge. Even since I was first exposed to the field in residency, the field is constantly changing and evolving. I’m excited to help my colleagues share a glimpse into that world with you!"
