The Annals of thoracic surgery
-
Despite recent advances in blood conservation techniques, major risks persist for excessive bleeding and blood transfusion after open heart operations. We reviewed the records of 100 consecutive patients undergoing first-time coronary artery bypass grafting at our institution to define these risks and develop a multimodality blood conservation program based on the results. This program was subsequently applied on a prospective basis to a select group of patients who refuse blood transfusion on religious grounds (Jehovah's Witnesses [JW]) (n = 15). ⋯ There were no deaths in the JW group. Thromboembolic complications consisted of a transient posterior circulation stroke in only 1 patient (dissection repair). No blood or blood products were transfused compared with the transfusion of 5.1 +/- 7.8 units (mean +/- standard deviation) in the 100 primary coronary bypass patients in whom the blood conservation program was not employed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
-
Comparative Study
Transesophageal echocardiographic measurements of cardiac output in cardiac surgical patients.
Transesophageal echocardiography is becoming increasingly popular as a method of intraoperative monitoring because it can be performed continuously, does not transgress the sterile operative field, and provides data with regard to valve function, ventricular volumes, and contractility. Recently it was suggested that it can be used to measure cardiac output; however, controversy remains regarding its accuracy. ⋯ Cardiac outputs measured by thermodilution correlated well (r = 0.95) with transesophageal Doppler values derived from pulmonary artery flow velocity, with a mean difference of 0.12 +/- 0.45 L.min-1 and narrow limits of agreement of from -0.78 to +1.02 L.min-1. Based on our findings, transesophageal Doppler echocardiographic determination of cardiac output using pulmonary artery flow measurements can provide accurate hemodynamic data in patients undergoing cardiac operations.
-
A woman pregnant for 21 weeks underwent an emergency operation because of an aortic arch aneurysm that had ruptured into her left lung. Cardiopulmonary bypass and deep hypothermia were used and she needed 37 minutes of circulatory arrest at a core temperature of 19 degrees C. Both the mother and fetus survived, and a normal baby was delivered by cesarean section at the 39th week of gestation.