Interactive cardiovascular and thoracic surgery
-
Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg · May 2020
ReviewDo perioperative protocols of enhanced recovery after cardiac surgery improve postoperative outcome?
A best evidence topic was constructed according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was whether the application of an enhanced recovery protocol or pathway improves patient outcomes after cardiac surgery. A total of 3091 papers were found using the reported search. ⋯ Significant differences from conventional care were reported for time to extubation or intubation time in 4 studies (3 FT, 1 ERAS), duration of intensive care unit stay in 6 studies (4 FT, 2 ERAS), length of hospital stay (LOS) in 8 studies (5 FT, 3 ERAS), cost in 5 studies (4 FT, 1 ERAS), pain scores in 2 studies (2 ERAS) and opioid use in 3 studies (3 ERAS). We conclude that FT or ERAS improve postoperative outcomes including length of stay and pain control, without increasing morbidity, mortality or readmission. However, there is a need for prospective studies and standardized protocols.