Journal of cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesia
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Nov 2024
Predicting Extent of Opioid Use Following Cardiac Surgery: A Pilot Study.
This study was designed to test whether a negative affect phenotype reflecting depression, anxiety, anger, and pain catastrophizing predicts inpatient and outpatient opioid use outcomes following cardiac surgery. ⋯ Patients with higher preoperative levels of negative affect (depression, anxiety, anger, and pain catastrophizing) use more inpatient and outpatient opioid analgesics following cardiac surgery, a pattern similar to noncardiac surgery populations. Results support further study of patient-specific approaches to opioid prescribing to reduce the risk for opioid use disorder post-cardiac surgery.
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Nov 2024
A Call for Diversity: Underrepresented Minorities and Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology Professional Development.
The presence of underrepresented minorities (URMs) in cardiothoracic anesthesiology is underwhelming, and progress toward diversity has been slow at best. Despite decades of efforts, change seems hard to achieve. For example, it took more than 30 years for women to make up 50% of medical school matriculants. ⋯ This piece is the final part of a 4-part series exploring opportunities for improving diversity in cardiac anesthesiology. The authors focus specifically on the professional experience of URMs in medicine in our subspecialty and the opportunities for improving diversity. While many barriers for URM physicians reflect those of women, the experience of URM practicing physicians is unique and solutions need to incorporate.