What is CTSNet?

CTSNet (http://www.ctsnet.org), the Cardiothoracic Surgery Network, is a World Wide Web (WWW) site for cardiothoracic surgeons, allied professionals, and the public. CTSNet is a non-profit organization which is sponsored and owned by , , and . CTSNet is governed by a and managed by an .

CTSNet is a collaborative effort of the to provide a comprehensive, web-based repository of information for surgeons. More than 40 organizations participate in CTSNet and have formed a unique electronic community of cardiothoracic surgeons. Every day, thousands of surgeons access this information resource from computers in their offices and homes to research cases, communicate with colleagues, explore the field's journals, investigate devices, find out about meetings, engage in lively discussions, and conduct private electronic meetings.

Each participating organization has an , which is hosted by CTSNet and available from it. And, each organization has access to a set of sophisticated web authoring tools and a common database, which allows it to maintain up-to-date information for its members. So, surgeons throughout the world can view the information on CTSNet and they can contribute. CTSNet now boasts a - from Calcutta to Melbourne to New York. All sections of CTSNet receive a combined total of 10 million 'hits' a month.

What resources are available for people who are not surgeons?

Currently, most of the information on CTSNet is intended for cardiothoracic surgeons and other medical professionals. However, some of the information may be of use to patients and their families and friends. Most of the educational materials on CTSNet are available without registration. However, you will occasionally find that you cannot access a particular page. This is because some of the content is intended only for surgeons or members of particular cardiothoracic organizations.

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons provides a section that contains information about diseases treated by cardiothoracic surgeons, including those of the heart, lungs, and esophagus.

We have two very active discussion forums that provide a place for informal conversations with other people concerned about hyperhidrosis or lung volume reduction surgery. To participate in these forums, you will need to register as a CTSNet Guest and to use the Guest User ID and Password whenever you participate in the discussion.

Who can register for CTSNet?

All cardiothoracic surgeons, including those in training, are invited to register for CTSNet. If you belong to a such as the STS, AATS, or EACTS you are already a member of CTSNet.

Is registration free?

Yes. All cardiothoracic surgeons and cardiothoracic surgeons in training may register for free. However, the are available by paid subscription only, though some cardiothoracic surgery organizations provide subscriptions as a benefit to their members. To get started, all you need is your CTSNet User ID and Password.

How can I register for CTSNet and obtain my CTSNet User ID and Password?

If you do not know or do not have a CTSNet User ID and Password and you are a cardiothoracic surgeon or cardiothoracic surgeon-in-training, and submit it. The CTSNet Editorial Office will send you the information that you need to get started by email as quickly as possible. Your User ID will usually be the first letter of your first name followed by your last name (surname). Your Password will be a combination of numbers or letters. When you receive your User ID and Password, you can to something more memorable. You will also receive a .

I have forgotten my CTSNet User ID and Password. How can I get them?

If you have forgotten your CTSNet User ID and Password and submit it. The CTSNet Editorial Office will send you this information by email as quickly as possible. When you receive your User ID and Password, you can to something more memorable.

How can I change my password?

To change select Change your CTSNet member password from the page or page and follow the instructions. You will need your .

What is a CTSNet Member Home Page and how do I get one?

All cardiothoracic surgeons and associates who are registered for CTSNet have a home page on CTSNet. A CTSNet member home page consists of information that you or your organization have provided to CTSNet.

To view a surgeon's member home page, go to the and type the last name (surname) of the surgeon whose member home page you want to view. Then use the Search button. (Note: To view the members of a specific CTSNet Organization, go to the , then select the Members link.) If you are a cardiothoracic surgeon and do not have a member home page, and we will register you.

To view a associate's member home page, go to the and type the last name (surname) of the associate whose member home page you want to view. Then use the Search button. (Associates are staff members, data managers, and other allied professionals.)

How can I update my member home page?

Because there are more than 18,000 surgeons registered for CTSNet, we ask that you maintain the information on your own member home page.

To update the information on your member home page, go to the link available from the section and follow the instructions on the page.

How can I put my photo on my home page?

Do one of the following to include a photograph your home page:

• Send a "real" wallet-sized photo or larger (either black and white or color) to the CTSNet Editorial Office at the following address:
  Carol L. Blasberg, Managing Editor
  CTSNet Administrative Office
  3108 Queeny Tower, Barnes-Jewish Hospital Plaza
  St. Louis, MO 63110-1041, USA
  
• Attach a photograph in electronic format (jpg, gif, or tiff) to an email message addressed to .
• Have your photo taken at a major meeting. CTSNet takes member home page photos at the major international meetings and at some national meetings (STS, EACTS, and AATS).

Why can't I view these documents?

Many areas of CTSNet are open to the public. Some, however, are open only to surgeons or associates who have registered for CTSNet or subgroups of those who have registered. Your ability to view a particular portion of the site depends on your User ID and Password and the rights associated with it.

What resources are available on CTSNet?

The is a table of contents that has hyperlinks to the main sections of the Web site. A hyperlink is a portion of the page (either words or pictures) that displays another page when you click on it. The hyperlinks on the CTSNet Home Page include:

Allows you to find information about a particular cardiothoracic surgeon, list surgeons in a specified country, maintain the information that appears on your CTSNet member home page, or change your password. Information about a particular surgeon displays on a member home page. Each CTSNet member has a home page.

Allows you to find information about a particular CTSNet Associate. Associates consist of the staff of CTSNet member organizations, data managers in the United States, guests, and, in the future, physician assistants and surgical assistants. From this page, you can change the information that appears on your member home page or change your password.

Lists the organizations that belong to CTSNet and links to the CTSNet web sites of these organizations. To view a home page for an organization, click on the name of that organization. Please take the time to explore the organization pages. These pages contain information of interest to the worldwide community of cardiothoracic surgeons as well as organization-specific information.

Provides links to the complete issues of many of the key journals of cardiothoracic surgery. Currently CTSNet provides The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, and soon the European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. These journals are available by paid subscription only, though some cardiothoracic surgery organizations provide subscriptions as a benefit to their members. You can also visit the Web site of the Asian Cardiovascular & Thoracic Annals from this page.

Allows you to perform a sophisticated search of the medical literature and view abstracts of relevant articles.

Lets surgeons registered for CTSNet advertise positions and respond to posted positions.

Lists the meetings of interest to the community. Key meetings link to more extensive descriptions. In some cases, these include programs, registration forms, and accommodation information.

Tools

Provides a web-based publishing platform that can be used by participating organizations to author, peer-review, and edit web content in a confidential manner. Other web tools have been developed to allow organizations to maintain membership and committee lists, to establish committee home pages, and to have private on-line committee meetings.

Presents a variety of educational materials, grant information, and links of interest. This section is created and maintained by the international community of cardiothoracic surgeons-in-training.

Like hospital Grand Rounds, CTSNet Grand Rounds presents lectures by noted experts. These lectures may contain audio, slides, and, in some cases video components.

Provides a general review of the major topics in cardiothoracic surgery. The text for each review topic is original material written by the authors.

Click on this link to participate in a lively discussion about a topic of interest. Each CTSNet discussion topic is moderated by a surgeon chosen for his/her expertise. You must have a CTSNet User ID and Password to participate.

Displays a well-organized and easy-to-search reference containing the products and services provided by the companies that supply the cardiothoracic surgical field. The CTSNet Product Forum presents information about products and services in a predictable, consistent, and comprehensive fashion. For example, if you were researching mechanical valves, you would select mechanical valves from a list of product categories and receive a list of the mechanical valves created by different device manufacturers. You could then read the details about each valve.

Provides important resources for surgeons and data managers interested in data capture, data analysis, and outcomes.

Describes the current thoracic oncology trials in the United States.

Provides clinical information in question and answer format.

Keeps you up to date on the significant happenings in the lives and careers of cardiothoracic surgeons around the world.

Helps you find useful and enjoyable sites of interest to the community without spending hours "cruising" the Internet.

Provides operative steps, a preference card, tips and pitfalls, references, and online article links for key procedures.

Displays extraordinary, high-quality case photos. Test your knowledge with the Mystery Cases.

Provides a collection of operative videos.

Features the illustrations of Leon Schlossberg.

Help, I'm having problems - how can I send you a note?

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Where can I find It?

• discussion forums for patients, families, and friends