• Cosmin Balan, Serban-Ion Bubenek-Turconi, Dana Rodica Tomescu, and Liana Valeanu.
• 1st Department of Cardiovascular Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, "Prof. C. C. Iliescu" Emergency Institute for Cardiovascular Diseases, 258 Fundeni Road, 022328 Bucharest, Romania.
• Medicina (Kaunas). 2021 Mar 25; 57 (4).

AbstractWith the advent of fast-track pathways after cardiac surgery, there has been a renewed interest in regional anesthesia due to its opioid-sparing effect. This paradigm shift, looking to improve resource allocation efficiency and hasten postoperative extubation and mobilization, has been pursued by nearly every specialty area in surgery. Safety concerns regarding the use of classical neuraxial techniques in anticoagulated patients have tempered the application of regional anesthesia in cardiac surgery. Recently described ultrasound-guided thoracic wall blocks have emerged as valuable alternatives to epidurals and landmark-driven paravertebral and intercostal blocks. These novel procedures enable safe, effective, opioid-free pain control. Although experience within this field is still at an early stage, available evidence indicates that their use is poised to grow and may become integral to enhanced recovery pathways for cardiac surgery patients.

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