Methodist DeBakey cardiovascular journal
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While transcatheter aortic valve replacement is considered a viable alternative to traditional surgery for patients with critical aortic stenosis, it is still a cardiac surgical procedure with a steep learning curve. Space consideration is a key aspect of the procedure's success. A TAVR program requires the commitment from and investment of institutional resources, the outfitting of an appropriate procedure room, and meticulous training of a multidisciplinary TAVR team. Careful integration of the various imaging modalities, medical specialties, and equipment is necessary to ensure the safety and efficacy of the procedure and to treat complications that may arise.
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Methodist Debakey Cardiovasc J · Oct 2011
Review Case ReportsPerioperative management of antithrombotic therapy in cardiovascular patients.
Many patients with underlying cardiovascular disease require long-term anticoagulation. The perioperative or periprocedural management of patients who require temporary interruption of anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications is a common and often challenging clinical problem. It requires a fine balance between the risk of thromboembolic events during anticoagulant interruption and the risk of bleeding in the setting of antithrombotic therapy administered around the time of surgery. ⋯ Bridging anticoagulation, generally with low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH), is often an integral part of perioperative thrombosis risk reduction. Perioperative anticoagulation management varies depending on the indication for anticoagulation and the anticoagulant or antiplatelet agent being used by the patient. In this article, we review some of the general principles involved with perioperative anticoagulation and discuss the perioperative management of patients taking vitamin K antagonists (VKAs), bridging regimens for anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents, and strategies for managing patients on the newer oral anticoagulants.
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Methodist Debakey Cardiovasc J · Oct 2011
ReviewEnhanced strategies for prevention and management of blood loss in special, unusual, and unexpected surgical situations.
Typically, surgical and anesthesia teams work together in the operating room to control blood loss by thoroughly evaluating bleeding risk preoperatively and by using their training in the treatment of intraoperative blood loss. As a result, most bleeding is usually well controlled. ⋯ In the end, however, it is usually the surgeons and anesthesiologists making decisions about how best to control bleeding. What follows is an update on currently available options in the management of surgical bleeding (Table 1).