Vascular and Cardiology Future

[HMSBeagle]

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I know both of these specialties are and will be in great demand in the future. But which one will you think will have more demand. I like the procedural aspect of VS but also like the clinic aspect of cardiology, and thought that since i like clinic and procedures cardiology may be a good fit. It is very confusing and I hope I can clear this up next year. Bear in mind that i'm a med student and things may change in the future.

 

[vascular2007]

Training wise, it depends on if you want to endure three years of medicine or years of surgery training...

I'm in one of the integrated vascular surgery program, and we only do about 2 years of gen surg and then a 3 year vascular surg fellowship. You can also go the 5 year general surgery route.

Cardiac and vascular disease are the leading causes of death, the population is growing older...so either way there will be a demand for BOTH fields. That shouldn't be a deciding factor. There are 10+ jobs for every vascular surg fellow graduate because of the demand.

Both cardiologists and vascular surgeons perform several endovascular techniques. Some fields currently (emphasize currently since things can always evolve or change) own certain procedures. There is also overlap..

Endovascular wise:
Cardiologists: coronary arteries/iliacs/carotid stents
Vascular surgeons: endovascular repair of AAA, stents of leg arteries/iliac
arteries, carotid stents

For emergency calls:
Cardiologists: deal with MI's and end of going to the cath lab
Vascular surgeons: deal with ruptured aneurysms/pulseless limbs/trauma
cases (GSWs) and end up going to the OR

Hope this helps...

 

[Blade28]

I like the procedural aspect of VS but also like the clinic aspect of cardiology, and thought that since i like clinic and procedures cardiology may be a good fit. It is very confusing and I hope I can clear this up next year.

I think you answered your own question - both fields have their own attractive qualities, at least on paper. But you really have to see next year during your MS-III rotations how you feel about an IM vs. G Surg residency.

 

[ESU_MD]

Vascular surgeons are the only specialists who are capable of objectively giving a patient ALL of the options and treatments from agram, to stents, to surgery, to fixing the complications of surgery. atherosclerosis is a lifelong disease.


so in other words, dont waste your time going into cardiology if you want to treat vascular disease