DrNB Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery
Direct answer
DrNB Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery (CTVS) is the NBEMS super-speciality that trains surgeons to operate on the heart, lungs and great vessels. Two entry paths exist: a three-year residency after MS or DNB General Surgery through NEET-SS, and a direct six-year course admitting MBBS graduates through NEET-PG. The resulting DrNB stands equivalent to MCh CTVS, and the programme closes with theory and practical examinations conducted nationally by NBEMS.
Course structure and curriculum
- Adult cardiac surgery, from coronary artery bypass grafting to valve repairs and replacements and surgery for the ascending aorta.
- Congenital cardiac surgery for septal defects, tetralogy of Fallot and other lesions, with exposure scaled to the centre's paediatric volume.
- General thoracic operating: lung resections, mediastinal tumour excision and chest wall procedures.
- Vascular surgery rotation covering aneurysm disease, bypass and carotid work.
- Cardiopulmonary bypass science — cannulation, perfusion management and weaning — under the guidance of perfusionists and surgeons.
- Peri-operative transoesophageal echocardiography for intraoperative decision-making.
- Post-operative cardiac surgical intensive care, including haemodynamic support, bleeding management and arrhythmia control.
- Exposure to minimally invasive, off-pump and, where available, robotic cardiac techniques.
- Mechanical circulatory support and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation experience in equipped units.
- Thoracic trauma and emergency cardiac surgery, including cardiac wound repair.
- Outpatient assessment clinics, tumour-board participation and a dissertation project.
Entrance examinations
For the post-MS three-year course, candidates sit NEET-SS, which NBEMS administers as a 150-question computer-based test in three time-locked sections carrying four marks each and a negative one-mark penalty. The direct six-year DrNB in CTVS is chosen at the MBBS stage and is entered through NEET-PG and its counselling, so a graduate must decide early between the integrated route and the classical MS-then-SS path. Either way, preparation leans on operative anatomy, cardiac physiology and pathology, chest imaging and peri-operative critical care, with INI-SS as the alternative for institute MCh seats.
Examinations
The DrNB final combines NBEMS-conducted theory papers with a practical built around case discussion, operative steps, chest radiographs and angiograms, instruments and viva. Dissertation acceptance is required before appearing. Preparation here is unavoidably visual: rehearse drawing operative diagrams, describing bypass and valve strategies, and interpreting haemodynamic data. Solving previous-year papers for the relevant entrance and finishing with timed mocks builds the speed the three-section format demands.
Career pathways
Qualified CTVS surgeons work in cardiac surgical centres, government tertiary hospitals and corporate heart institutes, where valve, coronary and rheumatic heart disease sustain large surgical volumes. Fellowships in minimally invasive cardiac surgery, aortic surgery, heart failure surgery or transplant can follow, and options abroad exist. The speciality suits those who accept long, disciplined apprenticeships.
Preparation with PrepElephant
The PrepElephant app supports both entry routes with previous-year questions, question banks, mock tests and revision tools, and this website carries free guides. They sharpen examination practice but do not replace theatre learning.
Related entrance examinations
Frequently asked questions
What are the two ways into DrNB CTVS?
The classical route is MS or DNB General Surgery followed by NEET-SS for the three-year residency; alternatively, MBBS graduates can enter the direct six-year DrNB course through NEET-PG.
Does DrNB CTVS equal MCh?
Yes, the qualification is recognised as equivalent to MCh Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, with NBEMS conducting the final examinations — the mark of the DrNB pathway.
What does daily training look like?
Trainees rotate through cardiac, thoracic and vascular lists, cardiac ICU duty, clinics and teaching while maintaining a logged operative record and dissertation.
Which areas need the most exam attention?
Bypass physiology, valve pathology and surgical options, congenital lesion repair, chest imaging and post-operative critical care dominate both entrance and final examination content.
What are the career prospects?
Cardiac surgical centres and heart institutes recruit DrNB CTVS surgeons, and fellowships in aortic, minimally invasive or transplant surgery can extend careers; academic posts are also available.
Practise this in the PrepElephant app
Question banks, previous-year questions, mock tests and revision tools — for DrNB Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery. Free to start.