Journal of cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesia
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Nov 2024
Meta AnalysisAnticoagulation Monitoring Using Activated Clotting Time in Patients Receiving Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: A Meta-Analysis of Correlation Coefficients.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) requires systemic anticoagulation to maintain the circuit patency. However, the use of anticoagulation carries a risk of severe hemorrhage, necessitating rigorous monitoring. Activated clotting time (ACT) is a widely used monitoring tool; however, the evidence of its correlation with unfractionated heparin (UFH) infusion dose is limited. Here we aimed to analyze the correlation between ACT and UFH infusion during ECMO. ⋯ Even though ACT is a widely used UFH monitoring tool in ECMO patients, our meta-analysis found a weak correlation between ACT and UFH infusion dose. New trials are needed to investigate the role of emerging tools and to clarify the most appropriate monitoring strategy for patients receiving ECMO support.
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Nov 2024
ReviewHypoattenuated Leaflet Thickening: A Comprehensive Review of Contemporary Data.
Nearly one-third of patients who undergo surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) or transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) develop hypoattenuated leaflet thickening (HALT) within a year. HALT typically represents subclinical leaflet thrombosis in asymptomatic patients, and as a result it often is detected incidentally. ⋯ The clinical significance of HALT is a topic of ongoing debate, and currently there is no consensus on the screening and management of HALT in patients following TAVR or SAVR. This review provides a comprehensive evaluation of the available evidence on risk factors, preventative measures, treatment, and prognosis for this growing patient cohort.
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Nov 2024
ReviewThe Year in Cardiothoracic Transplant Anesthesia: Selected Highlights From 2022 Part I: Lung Transplantation.
These highlights focus on the research in lung transplantation (LTX) that was published in 2022 and includes the assessment and optimization of candidates for LTX, donor optimization, the use of organs from donation after circulatory death, and outcomes when using marginal or novel donors; recipient factors affecting LTX, including age, disease, the use of extracorporeal life support; and special situations, such as coronavirus disease2019, pediatric LTX, and retransplantation. The remainder of the article focuses on the perioperative management of LTX, including the perioperative risk factors for acute renal failure (acute kidney injury); the incidence and management of phrenic nerve injury, delirium, and pain; and the postoperative management of hyperammonemia, early postoperative infections, and the use of donor-derived cell-free DNA to detect rejection.
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Nov 2024
ReviewThe Fontan Circulation in Pregnancy: Hemodynamic Challenges and Anesthetic Considerations.
Pregnancy in patients with Fontan physiology presents unique challenges due to altered cardiovascular dynamics inherent to both conditions. The Fontan procedure reroutes venous blood directly to the pulmonary arteries, bypassing the heart, and necessitating precise regulation of pulmonary venous resistance and systemic venous pressure to maintain effective cardiac output. ⋯ This review delineates the essential physiological adaptations during pregnancy and the challenges faced by Fontan patients, advocating for a comprehensive care approach involving multidisciplinary collaboration, vigilant monitoring, tailored anesthetic management, and postpartum care. Understanding the complex dynamics between Fontan physiology and pregnancy is crucial for anesthesiologists to develop and execute individualized management strategies to minimize risks and optimize outcomes for this high-risk population.
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Nov 2024
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyEffect of Bilateral Erector Spinae Plane Block versus Fentanyl Infusion on Postoperative Recovery in Cardiac Surgeries via Median Sternotomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
To assess the effect of ultrasound-guided bilateral erector spinae plane block (ESPB) on the time to extubation in patients who had undergone cardiac surgery through a midline sternotomy. ⋯ Among adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery through a midline sternotomy, the extubation time was halved in patients who received single-shot bilateral ESPB compared to patients who received fentanyl infusion.