Journal of cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesia
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Dec 2022
Observational StudyProcedural Aspects of Epidural Catheter Placement: A Prospective Observational Study of 173 Epidural Catheter Insertions.
The risks and benefits of epidural analgesia have been studied extensively, but information regarding many other aspects of epidural catheter insertion is limited. The authors aimed to add information regarding procedural pain, procedure duration, failure rates, and the effect of experience to the ongoing discussion on this procedure. ⋯ In this study, the authors examined several lesser-known aspects of epidural procedures. The use of epidural analgesia as part of the pain management plan after surgery requires a more complex evaluation instead of merely discussing the possibility of procedural infections, hematomas, or neurologic injuries. The procedure time, patients' expected and experienced pain related to the procedure, and the potential long-term side effects should be a part of the decision-making process.
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Dec 2022
Incremental Prognostic Value of Left Ventricular Longitudinal Strain Over Ejection Fraction in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.
To evaluate the incremental prognostic value of longitudinal strain over left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). ⋯ Left ventricular longitudinal strain could differentiate the prognosis after CABG in patients with preserved LVEF and provide significant incremental prognostic value to LVEF.
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Dec 2022
Transesophageal Echocardiography-Guided Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Cannulation in COVID-19 Patients.
A paucity of data supports the use of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for bedside extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) cannulation. Concerns have been raised about performing TEEs in patients with COVID-19. The authors describe the use and safety of TEE guidance for ECMO cannulation for COVID-19. ⋯ Bedside TEE guidance for VV ECMO cannulation is safe in patients with severe respiratory failure due to COVID-19. No tamponade or hemothorax, nor TEE-related complications were observed in the authors' cohort.
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Dec 2022
Perioperative Outcomes in Patients With Failing Single-Ventricle Physiology Undergoing Ventricular Assist Device Placement: A Single Institutional Experience.
To address the current lack of specified data existing regarding the perioperative characteristics and outcomes in a novel patient population, which may bridge the current understanding of how patient characteristics and perioperative management may influence the postoperative hospital course before cardiac transplantation. ⋯ Although our institutional approach represents a single perspective, we anticipate that our experience institutional experience may prove helpful to others caring for peditric patients with single ventricle physiology undergoing ventricular assist device placement and promote collaborative efforts to improve their care.