Journal of cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesia
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Aug 2015
Observational StudyA Retrospective Examination of the Efficacy of Paravertebral Block for Patients Requiring Intraoperative High-Dose Unfractionated Heparin Administration During Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair.
Postoperative respiratory complications are serious and frequently observed among patients who undergo thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) repair. Paravertebral block (PVB) can provide effective analgesia for relief of postoperative thoracotomy pain and may reduce respiratory complications. However, the impact of PVB on postoperative pain and respiratory function in patients who undergo TAAA repair requiring intraoperative high-dose heparin administration is unknown. This study examined the efficacy of PVB on postoperative pain and respiratory function after TAAA repairs. ⋯ PVB significantly reduced postoperative pain at rest and while coughing and significantly reduced the reintubation rate, the rate of NPPV use, and postoperative pneumonia without complications. PVB could be a safe and an effective analgesic method that reduces postoperative respiratory exacerbation in patients who undergo TAAA repair.