Journal of cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesia
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Historically, intracardiac operations have carried a higher risk of neurologic complications than coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) procedures, although the incidence of such complications has been increasing after CABG in recent years. In both intracardiac and extracardiac surgery, macroemboli from the surgical field cause most neurologic complications. The periods of highest risk for emboli are during aortic cannulation, onset of bypass, and weaning from bypass. ⋯ Studies suggest a role for barbiturate protection in intracardiac but not in extracardiac surgery. Studies have not shown better neurologic or neuropsychological outcome with the use of membrane oxygenation and arterial filtration. Recent studies suggest no correlation of neurologic injury with serum glucose levels during CABG, with either duration or severity of hypotension during hypothermic CABG, or with blood gas management during hypothermic CABG.
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Feb 1994
Another application of two-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography: spinal cord imaging. A preliminary report.
This prospective study was performed in 17 consecutive patients continuously monitored intraoperatively and postoperatively for cardiac function with two-dimensional (2D) TEE. Prior to systematic evaluation of spinal cord imaging by 2D TEE, the aims of this study were to determine: (1) the feasibility of such imaging, and (2) the relationship between spinal cord images and fixed structures (like vertebral bodies); 7.5 +/- 2.3 spinal segments were identified in the patients. ⋯ Successful imaging of the spinal cord was achieved in all 17 patients with visualization of discs, spinous processes, spinal canal, and a pulsating spinal cord. Further studies are needed to better define the potential applications of this new technique: detection of spinal cord trauma, visualization of a thoracic epidural catheter, and successful preservation of spinal cord vascularization during thoracic aortic surgery.
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Feb 1994
Risk management in cardiac anesthesia: the ASA Closed Claims Project perspective.
The ASA Closed Claims Project has generated a standardized collection of case summaries of adverse anesthetic outcomes, with the objectives of identifying major areas of anesthesiologist liability and the contribution of substandard care to anesthetic injury. Seventy-six (3%) of the files in the project's current database of over 2,400 case summaries are for anesthesia-related injuries sustained during cardiac surgery. ⋯ Conversely, respiratory-related damaging events were responsible for only 9% of adverse outcomes in the cardiac group, compared with 32% of adverse outcomes in the noncardiac claims (P = < 0.01); incidences of damaging events related to the cardiovascular system and those events related to inadequate or inappropriate fluid therapy were similar in both groups. Although there are several important limitations intrinsic to closed-claims analysis, data from the Closed Claims Project suggest that careful attention to IV catheter management and cardiopulmonary bypass equipment will reduce the risk of injury to patients.
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Feb 1994
A computer-controlled, closed-loop infusion system for infusing muscle relaxants: its use during motor-evoked potential monitoring.
A microcomputer-controlled closed-loop infusion system (MCCLIS) has been developed that provides stable intraoperative levels of partial neuromuscular blockade. Complete neuromuscular blockade interferes with intraoperative motor-evoked potential (MEP) monitoring used for patients undergoing surgical procedures that place them at risk for spinal cord ischemia. ⋯ Intraoperative adjustment of partial neuromuscular blockade to facilitate TcM-MEP monitoring was also possible with the MCCLIS. The MCCLIS should allow for further investigation into the sensitivity, specificity, and predictability of TcM-MEP monitoring for any patient at risk for intraoperative spinal cord ischemia including those undergoing thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysmectomy.