Journal of cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesia
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Feb 2007
A survey of tracheostomy practice in a cardiothoracic intensive care unit.
The purpose of this study was to assess current practice of performing tracheostomies in critically ill cardiac surgical patients, to establish complication rates, and to identify areas of this clinical practice that could be improved. ⋯ The percutaneous dilational technique of tracheostomy was used predominantly in this unit. The median time from tracheal intubation to tracheostomy was 5 days. The most common complications were bleeding at the time of insertion, obstruction of the tracheostomy tube, and stomal infection.
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Feb 2007
Clinical TrialThe role of endogenous kallikrein inhibition in perioperative transfusion and adverse outcome in cardiac surgical patients.
The goal of this study was to explore the relationship among endogenous plasma kallikrein inhibition (KI), perioperative bleeding, and adverse outcomes in cardiac surgery. ⋯ Contrary to expectation, higher endogenous KI levels were associated with more blood product transfusion, longer postoperative mechanical ventilation, and hospital length of stay. These findings raise questions as to the role of KI in postoperative outcomes.
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Feb 2007
Randomized Controlled TrialEffect of dexamethasone on atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery: prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of preoperative dexamethasone (DEX) on the occurrence of postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF). ⋯ DEX did not affect the incidence of AF in patients undergoing combined CABG and valve surgery. However, it did modulate the release of several inflammatory and acute-phase response mediators that are associated with adverse outcomes.