Journal of cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesia
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Dec 2023
Role of Cardiac Anesthesiologists in Intraoperative Enhanced Recovery After Cardiac Surgery (ERACS) Protocol: A Retrospective Single-Center Study Analyzing Preliminary Results of a Yearlong ERACS Protocol Implementation.
Enhanced recovery after cardiac surgery (ERACS) has been gaining rapid acceptance after multiple studies have demonstrated promising results in improved outcomes of enhanced recovery after surgery in other surgical fields (eg, colorectal, orthopedic, thoracic, etc). Cardiac surgery has several unique challenges, including sternotomy, cardiopulmonary bypass and associated coagulopathy, blood transfusion, and postoperative intensive care requirement. Nonetheless, selective cardiac surgical patients can still benefit from ERACS. Guidelines for perioperative care in cardiac surgery, previously published by the ERACS Society, are weighted heavily in preoperative and postoperative management without much focus on intraoperative care provided by anesthesiologists. To address this gap and to explore anesthesiology's contribution in achieving ERACS, the study authors' cardiac anesthesiology division, in collaboration with cardiac surgery, introduced the ERACS protocol in their institution in February 2020. ⋯ The ERACS is achievable after the careful implementation of a series of measures. It does not signify only fast-track extubation and opioid-sparing analgesia, and must be implemented in the entire perioperative period beginning from preoperative clinic to postoperative rehabilitation. Cardiac anesthesiologists play a vital role in execution of intraoperative ERACS measures. Both providers and patients themselves are key stakeholders. A larger randomized prospective trial is warranted to solidify the inference.
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Dec 2023
Observational StudyImpact of Early Tracheostomy on Clinical Outcomes in Trauma Patients Admitted the to Intensive Care Unit: A Retrospective Causal Analysis.
To assess the indications, timing, and clinical outcomes that result from the early tracheostomy (ET) administration, by causal inference models. ⋯ The authors' study observed that ET was not associated with reduced mortality in trauma patients, but it was associated with reduced VAP risk and MV duration. The results warrant further validation in randomized controlled trials.