Journal of cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesia
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Sep 2023
ReviewQuelling the Storm: A Review of the Management of Electrical Storm.
Heightened sympathetic input to the myocardium potentiates cardiac electrical instability and may herald an electrical storm. An electrical storm is characterized by 3 or more episodes of ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, or appropriate internal cardiac defibrillator shocks within 24 hours. Management of electrical storms is resource-intensive and inevitably requires careful coordination between multiple subspecialties. ⋯ After initial stabilization, subacute management focuses on dampening the sympathetic surge with sedation, thoracic epidural, or stellate ganglion blockade. Definitive long-term management with surgical sympathectomy or catheter ablation also may be warranted. Our objective is to provide an overview of electrical storms and the anesthesiologist's role in management.
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Sep 2023
ReviewInvasive Pressure Monitors: Leveling the Playing Field.
Invasive pressure monitors are ubiquitous in cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesia. This technology allows beat-to-beat assessment of central venous, pulmonary, and arterial blood pressures during surgery, procedural interventions, and critical care. ⋯ Anesthesiologists must understand the fundamental concepts on which measurements are made to effectively use invasive pressure monitors, including pulmonary artery catheters, central venous catheters, intra-arterial catheters, external ventricular drains, and spinal or lumbar drains. This review will address important gaps in knowledge surrounding leveling and zeroing of invasive pressure monitors, emphasizing the impact of varied practice patterns on patient care.
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Sep 2023
ReviewNovel Three-Dimensionally Printed Ultrasound Probe Simulator and Heart Model for Transthoracic Echocardiography Education.
Simulation-based training is an essential component in the education of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). Nevertheless, current TTE teaching methods may be subject to certain limitations. Hence, the authors in this study aimed to invent a novel TTE training system employing three-dimensional (3D) printing technology to teach the basic principles and psychomotor skills of TTE imaging more intuitively and understandably. ⋯ The probe simulator incorporates a linear laser generator to enable the visualization of the projection of the ultrasound scan plane in a 3D space. By using the probe simulator in conjunction with the sliceable heart model or other commercially available anatomic models, trainees can attain a more comprehensive understanding of probe motion and related scan planes in TTE. Notably, the 3D-printed models are portable and low-cost, suggesting their potential utility in various clinical scenarios, particularly for just-in-time training.
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Sep 2023
Randomized Controlled TrialEffect of Active Physiotherapy With Positive Airway Pressure on Pulmonary Atelectasis After Cardiac Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Study.
The authors investigated the effect of active work with positive airway pressure (PAP) in addition to chest physiotherapy (CP) on pulmonary atelectasis (PA) in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. ⋯ Active work with the PAP effect, combined with CP, significantly decreased the RAS of patients undergoing cardiac surgery after 2 days of CP, with no differences observed in clinically relevant parameters.
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Sep 2023
Evaluation of Activated Clotting Times With a Heparin Reversal Protocol Designed to Conserve Protamine During Drug Shortages: A Retrospective, Cohort Study.
To retrospectively evaluate a protamine conservation approach to heparin reversal implemented during times of critical shortages. This approach was aimed at maintaining access to cardiac surgical services. ⋯ The primary endpoint was differences in post-reversal activated clotting times between the 2 groups. The secondary endpoint was differences in the number of protamine vials used between the 2 reversal strategies. The first activated clotting times values measured after initial protamine administration were not different between the Low Dose and Conventional Dose groups (122.3 s v 120.6 s, 1.47 s, 99% CI -1.47 to 4.94, p = 0.16). The total amount of protamine administered in the Low Dose group was less than that in the Conventional Dose group (-100.5 mg, 99% CI -110.0 to -91.0, p < 0.0001), as were the number of 250 mg vials used per case (-0.69, 99% CI -0.75 to -0.63, p < 0.0001). The mean initial protamine doses between groups were 250 mg and 352 mg, p < 0.0001. The mean protamine vials used were 1.33 v 2.02, p < 0.0001. When the calculations were based on 50 mg vials, the number of vials used per case in the Low Dose group was even less (-2.16, 99% CI -2.36 to -1.97, p < 0.0001).) CONCLUSIONS: Conservation measures regarding critical medications and supplies during times of shortages can maintain access to important services within a community.