Journal of cardiac surgery
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Minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS) has expanded during the recent years due to interest in improved patient satisfaction and decreased stay in the hospital. To assist in these interests, postoperative pain control is aimed at decreasing opioid usage but maintaining adequate pain control. Regional anesthesia has the ability to provide these goals. This review article will describe different regional anesthesia techniques and discuss the evidence of their use in MICS. ⋯ As cardiac surgery moves toward smaller incisions and MICS with the goal of enhanced recovery, multimodal analgesic techniques should be explored for postoperative pain control. The regional techniques discussed in this article show a trend toward improved pain control and decreased stay in the intensive care unit.
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Surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) is the most common valvular surgery and thus needs to be widely available including minorities and socially disadvantaged patients. SAVR outcomes at safety-net hospitals, which serve a high percentage of these patients, are limited. We aimed to compare the outcomes of SAVR at different safety-net burden hospitals. ⋯ SAVR outcomes are reassuring at MBHs and HBHs.