Seminars in cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesia
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Semin Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth · Mar 2007
ReviewBleeding following deep hypothermia and circulatory arrest in children.
Deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) is a technique of extracorporeal circulation commonly used in children with complex congenital heart defects undergoing surgical repairs. The use of profound cooling (20 degrees C) and complete cessation of circulation allow adequate exposure and correction of these complex lesions, with enhanced cerebral protection. ⋯ This review examines the impact of DHCA on bleeding and transfusion requirements in children and the pathophysiology of DHCA-induced platelet dysfunction. It also focuses on possible pharmacologic interventions to decrease bleeding following DHCA in children.
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Semin Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth · Mar 2007
ReviewOpioid analgesia in neonates following cardiac surgery.
Pain in the newborn is complex, involving a variety of receptors and mechanisms within the developing nervous system. When pain is generated, a series of sequential neurobiologic changes occur within the central nervous system. If pain is prolonged or repetitive, the developing nervous system could be permanently modified, with altered processing at spinal and supraspinal levels. ⋯ The treatment and/or prevention of pain are widely considered necessary for humanitarian and physiologic reasons. Improved clinical and developmental outcomes underscore the importance of providing adequate analgesia for newborns who undergo major surgery, mechanical ventilation, and related procedures in the intensive care unit. This article reviews published information regarding opioid administration and associated issues of tolerance and abstinence syndromes (withdrawal) in neonates with an emphasis on those having undergone cardiac surgery.
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Brain protection during cardiopulmonary bypass has been the subject of intense research. Deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) continues to be used for that goal during complex aortic arch and large intracranial aneurysm surgeries. ⋯ Based on our experience and review of the current literature, the authors highlight the key areas of the anesthetic plan, discussing the risk factors associated with adverse neurologic outcome as well as the rationale for decisions regarding specific monitors and medications. In the conclusion an anesthetic protocol for adult patients undergoing DHCA is suggested.
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Semin Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth · Mar 2007
ReviewSurrogate markers for neurological outcome in children after deep hypothermic circulatory arrest.
Improved survival for infants with congenital heart disease (CHD) has led to increased focus on the most significant morbidities that are neurodevelopmental. Neurologic injury in neurodevelopmental outcome may have many causes in children with complex CHD undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest, including genetic syndromes, abnormal blood flow patterns, prenatal insults, and hemodynamic instability. Although gross neurological injury can be detected in the perinatal and postoperative period, more subtle injury may not be identified until much later. ⋯ Serologic proteins, seizures, magnetic resonance findings, cerebral oxygenation, and the neurologic examination have all been studied. Continuing innovation in the use of magnetic resonance imaging techniques and the application of physiologic measures including near-infrared spectroscopy currently pose the greatest potential for advances. This article summarizes the state of the art and an admission about how far we have yet to travel as we strive to make the neurodevelopmental outcomes of patients with CHD comparable to their healthy peers.
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Semin Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth · Dec 2006
ReviewInhaled milrinone: a new alternative in cardiac surgery?
The administration of milrinone through inhalation has been studied in only a few animal and human studies. Compared to the intravenous administration, inhaled milrinone has been shown to reduce pulmonary artery pressure without systemic hypotension. Therefore, this approach could represent an alternative to nitric oxide. This current state of knowledge of intravenous and inhaled milrinone is presented and summarized.