Journal of cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesia
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Jan 2022
Multicenter Study Observational StudyNormative Transesophageal Echocardiographic Values of Cardiac Structures in the Indian Population-Indian Normative TEE Measurements (INTEEM) Study.
Information on normative reference values for cardiac structures is critical for the accurate application of echocardiography for guiding clinical decision-making. Many studies using transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) have shown that Indians have smaller diameters of various cardiac structures. There are no normative studies for transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). The authors observed dimensions of various cardiac structures in healthy Indian patients under general anesthesia using TEE and compared them with existing guidelines from non-Indian data. ⋯ The authors present normative values of various echocardiographic parameters using TEE. Because of its variations, it is recommended to use India-specific data to make decisions in Indian patients. It may be prudent to use BSA-indexed values during decision-making.
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Jan 2022
Left Ventricular Strain Rate for Intraoperative Evaluation of Cardiac Diastolic Function by Transesophageal Echocardiography: The Correlation Between Late Diastolic Peak Longitudinal Strain Rate and the Severity of Diastolic Dysfunction.
Speckle-tracking echocardiography is a promising tool for evaluating cardiac diastolic dysfunction. A correlation between left atrial strain rate during atrial contraction and the severity of diastolic dysfunction previously has been demonstrated. Because visualization of the left atrial walls is difficult with transesophageal echocardiography, the authors evaluated the use of left ventricular strain rate during atrial contraction as a substitute for left atrial strain rate to intraoperatively measure the extent of cardiac diastolic dysfunction. ⋯ The late diastolic peak longitudinal strain rate correlates with the severity of diastolic dysfunction in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Jan 2022
A Call for Diversity: Underrepresented Minorities and Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology Fellowship Education.
This paper is the first of a four-part series that details the current barriers to diversity in the field of adult cardiothoracic anesthesiology and outlines actionable programs that can be implemented to create change. Part I and Part II address the training experience of women and underrepresented minorities (URMs) in adult cardiothoracic anesthesiology (ACTA), respectively, and explore concrete opportunities to promote positive change. ⋯ Although these problems are complex, the authors here offer a detailed analysis of the challenges faced by each group both in the training phase and the professional practice phase of their careers. The authors also present meaningful and concrete actions that can be implemented to create a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive professional environment in cardiovascular and thoracic anesthesiology.