Seminars in cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesia
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Semin Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth · Mar 2005
ReviewApplied neuromonitoring in cardiac surgery: patient specific management.
Various studies have demonstrated that over 50% of patients presenting for coronary revascularization surgery have evidence of extracranial or intracranial atherosclerotic disease. Although evidence is compelling that cerebral emboli are a major cause of perioperative central nervous system (CNS) morbidity in such patients, it is also apparent that alterations in cerebral perfusion pressure and blood flow can profoundly influence the extent of injury after an embolic insult. ⋯ This review critically evaluates and discusses the relevant characteristics of applied neuromonitoring techniques, including bispectral index (BIS), transcranial Doppler (TCD), and near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) in the context of patients undergoing cardiac surgical procedures. Recent outcomes data regarding CNS and related morbidity and the influence of neuromonitoring in these groups are evaluated.
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Semin Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth · Dec 2004
ReviewAcute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome after pulmonary resection.
The occurrence of acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) after thoracic surgery are perplexing and persistent problems. Variously described as postpneumonectomy pulmonary edema, noncardiogenic pulmonary edema, and postlung resection pulmonary edema, ALI and ARDS may be considered a single entity, with ALI being the less severe form of ARDS. It is characterized by the acute onset of hypoxemia with radiographic infiltrates consistent with pulmonary edema, without elevations in the pulmonary capillary wedge pressure. ⋯ Thus, the nomenclature, risks, and pathogenesis are not well defined. Interest in this syndrome has recently been renewed as the rate of other perioperative complications has declined. ALI/ARDS is reviewed with a focus on potential etiologies and the spectrum of available interventions.
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Semin Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth · Dec 2004
ReviewTransfusion of blood products affects outcome in cardiac surgery.
There remains controversy as to when patients undergoing cardiac surgery should receive a transfusion and whether a low hematocrit and its treatment with a transfusion of red cells influences outcome. The data related to this controversy are reviewed. Although the risk of known viral transmission is currently low, stored red cells do not function normally, and each unit contains activated inflammatory cells and mediators. ⋯ Stored platelets contain a highly activated mixture of platelets with storage lesions and inflammatory mediators. Two retrospective post hoc multifactorial analyses suggest that platelet transfusions are associated with substantial increased morbidity and mortality. Clearly, large prospective studies are required to define the proper trigger for blood product transfusion to balance the adverse effects of anemia and platelet deficiency or dysfunction with the adverse effects of transfusion of blood products on morbidity and mortality associated with cardiac surgery and anesthesia.
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Semin Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth · Sep 2004
Review"Other" neurologic complications after cardiac surgery.
Compared to the neurologic morbidity of stroke and cognitive dysfunction, "other" neurologic complications involving injuries to the brachial plexus, phrenic nerve, cranial nerves, other peripheral nerves, as well as the visual pathways, have been disproportionately underrepresented in the cardiac surgery and anesthesiology literature. These injuries are often missed in the early postoperative period when attention is focused principally on recovery from the acute trespass of cardiac surgery and cardiopulmonary bypass. However, when these problems do become apparent, they can cause considerable discomfort and morbidity. An overview of the current concepts of injury mechanisms/etiology, diagnosis, prognosis, and when possible, prevention of these injuries is presented.
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Semin Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth · Sep 2004
ReviewAtrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery: pathophysiology and treatment.
Atrial fibrillation (AF) occurs in 25% to 60% of patients after cardiac surgery. It is most consistently associated with advanced age and valvular heart operations. Despite improving knowledge of the pathophysiology of chronic AF, postoperative AF remains an obstinate clinical problem. ⋯ Treatment for postoperative AF may require immediate electrical cardioversion for hemodynamically unstable patients. Heart rate control is useful in most patients, with anticoagulation considered after 48 hours. Antiarrhythmic therapy is often effective in restoring sinus rhythm but its use needs to be balanced against the patient's risk of proarrhythmic side effects such as torsade de pointes.