Journal of cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesia
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Aug 2007
Comparative StudyLow-volume interscalene brachial plexus block for post-thoracotomy shoulder pain.
This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of low-volume interscalene brachial plexus block for post-thoracotomy ipsilateral shoulder pain and to compare it with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug treatment. ⋯ The authors concluded that low-volume interscalene brachial plexus block is a superior treatment for post-thoracotomy shoulder pain compared with diclofenac injection, although it requires a slightly longer stay in the PACU.
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Aug 2007
Comparative StudyWake-up test after carotid endarterectomy for combined carotid-coronary artery surgery: a case series.
In combined carotid-coronary artery surgery, it is important to determine patients' neurologic status after carotid endarterectomy (CEA). An initial stroke could be exacerbated by cardiopulmonary bypass required for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Various monitoring methods (eg, electroencephalogram) have been used to reduce neurologic deficits during CEA under general anesthesia. However, none of the methods of determining neurologic status of patients are ideal during the time between the end of CEA and the beginning of CABG surgery. In this study, patient's neurologic status was assessed after CEA with a wake-up test to identify stroke before CABG surgery. ⋯ Although this is a case series, the authors believe that performing a neurologic examination using a wake-up test may make a contribution and increases the safety of combined surgical procedures in patients with coronary and carotid artery disease.
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Aug 2007
Comparative StudyKaolin-based activated coagulation time measured by sonoclot in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass.
In vivo data for the kaolin-based ACT test from the Sonoclot Analyzer (SkACT, Sienco Inc, Arvada, CO) are lacking. The aim of this study was to compare SkACT with an established kaolin-based ACT from Hemochron (HkACT) and anti-Xa activity in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). ⋯ Accuracy and performance of SkACT and HkACT were comparable for heparin monitoring in patients undergoing CPB for elective cardiac surgery. However, both tests were affected significantly after initiating CPB and aprotinin infusion.
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Aug 2007
Comparative StudyDifferential expression in markers for thrombin, platelet activation, and inflammation in cell saver versus systemic blood in patients undergoing on-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
Elimination of cardiotomy suction increases reliance on cell-saver blood-conservation techniques. Reinfusion of processed cell-saver blood (PCSB) even without using cardiotomy field suction may contribute to thrombin, cytokines, platelet activators, and hemolytic factors measured systemically. ⋯ Reinfusion of PCSB directly and independently contributes to systemic elevations in interleukin-8, polymorphonuclear elastase, neuron-specific enolase, and S-100beta, augmenting and perhaps accentuating the postoperative inflammatory response. Further evaluation and improvement in cell-salvaging technology and processing techniques are warranted.
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Aug 2007
Comparative StudyImproved neurologic outcome after implementing evidence-based guidelines for cardiac surgery.
A high incidence of neurologic complications was observed in the year 2001 in cardiac surgical patients in this department. This article attempts to show the impact of changing and optimizing management protocols on the incidence of neurologic morbidity after cardiac surgery. ⋯ The occurrences of neurologic complications, mortality, and ICU resource consumption by this patient group decreased after implementation of an optimized management protocol and evidence-based guidelines.