Journal of cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesia
-
J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Apr 2018
Observational StudyIntraoperative Transesophageal and Postoperative Transthoracic Echocardiographic Evaluation of a Mechanical Heart Valve Prosthesis Implanted at Aortic Position.
The aims of this study were to evaluate the intraoperative transesophageal echocardiographic (iTEE) characteristics and Doppler flow profile of aortic Chitra heart valve prosthesis (CHVP) under stable hemodynamic and loading conditions, and to compare and correlate the iTEE data with the postoperative transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) data obtained at 48 hours (TTE1) and 3 months (TTE2) after the surgery. ⋯ The iTEE features of CHVP were found compliant with the criteria set by the ASE defining normal functioning of an aortic valve prosthesis. The iTEE Doppler parameters obtained under stable loading conditions strongly predicted the postoperative values of Doppler parameters on TTE examination. The iTEE Doppler values can be used as the reference values for the postoperative follow up studies.
-
J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Apr 2018
Implementation of an Early Extubation Protocol in Cardiac Surgical Patients Decreased Ventilator Time But Not Intensive Care Unit or Hospital Length of Stay.
The optimal timing of extubation following cardiac surgery is currently unknown. Protocols implemented in order to achieve a rapid extubation may achieve this goal, but not prove beneficial in terms of outcomes. ⋯ Decreasing intubation times to <6 hours in postsurgical cardiac patients is obtainable with implementation of a multidisciplinary rapid weaning protocol. However, patients extubated within 6 hours had increased ICU length of stay and no difference in hospital length of stay with this intervention.