Journal of cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesia
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Aug 2021
Review Meta AnalysisThe Effectiveness of Levosimendan on Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Management and Outcome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) provides a temporary support system for patients with cardiogenic shock refractory to conventional medical therapies. It has been reported that levosimendan may facilitate VA-ECMO weaning and improve survival. The primary objective of this review was to examine the effect of levosimendan use on VA-ECMO weaning and mortality in critically ill patients on VA-ECMO. ⋯ Levosimendan therapy was significantly associated with successful weaning and survival benefit in patients with cardiogenic or postcardiotomy shock needing VA-ECMO support for severe cardiocirculatory compromise. To date, there is limited literature and absence of evidence from randomized trials addressing the use of levosimendan in VA-ECMO weaning. This study may be considered a hypothesis-generating research for randomized controlled trials to confirm its findings.
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Aug 2021
Randomized Controlled TrialThe Effect of Propofol Versus Volatile Anesthetics on Persistent Pain After Cardiac Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Sternal incisions can generate persistent and intense post-sternotomy pain. Propofol has been shown to improve postoperative analgesia, but the preventive effect on persistent pain after cardiac surgery is unknown. The hypothesis of the present study was that intraoperative propofol-based anesthesia compared with volatile anesthesia could reduce the risk of chronic pain after cardiac surgery. ⋯ Intraoperative administration of propofol did not reduce persistent pain after cardiac surgery compared with volatile anesthetics.
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Aug 2021
ReviewLeft Ventricular Mechanical Circulatory Support-Assessing Outcomes With New Data.
Ventricular assist devices continue to play a significant role in the surgical management of advanced heart failure. Left ventricular assist devices in particular have seen a rapid evolution in design, technology, implantation, and outcomes. This concise review focuses on the key data that have been published in the past 5 years that have demonstrated this rapid evolution in left-sided mechanical circulatory support from principally bridge to transplantation to destination therapy, with an increasing emphasis on quality-of-life measures and durability.