Richard Libertini

My interest in the heart first started when we studied cardiac physiology, blood pressure regulation and fluid flow in our physiology lectures. However my fascination with cardiac surgery first started when I watched a documentary called “State of the Heart” about heart transplantation and total artificial hearts. This led me to choose numerous surgical placement in cardiothoracic surgery as a medical student. Once I scrubbed in and assisted, I was totally blown away by the workings of this beautiful, dynamic organ. I also attended theatres in my spare time and throughout my Easter/summer holidays to obtain as much exposure to cardiac operations and to build my experience in this technically demanding field. Through training with Mr Levine I gained basic surgical skills and 1^st assisted going on cardiopulmonary bypass and even with proximal anatomises. I have also been accepted onto a 4 week elective with Mr Marius Berman and the Heart and Lung transplantation team at Papwoth Hospital which is due to start in summer. In preparation for the transplantation placement I attended. I have also got involved with research and have just finished writing a case report about a patient with a left circumflex giant aneurysm with the aim to publish it in the Annals of Thoracic surgery.