Annals of cardiac anaesthesia
-
Left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) are increasingly used for mechanical circulatory support of patients with severe heart failure, primarily as a bridge to heart transplantation. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) plays a major role in the clinical decision making during insertion of the devices and in the post-operative management of these patients. The detection of structural and device-related mechanical abnormalities is critical for optimal functioning of assist device. In this review article, we describe the usefulness of TEE for optimal perioperative management of patients presenting for HeartWare LVAD insertion.
-
Anesthetic management of mediastinal masses is challenging. There is abundant literature available on anesthesia management of anterior mediastinal mass. Anesthetic management of posterior mediastinal mass lesions normally have uneventful course. We describe airway collapse and difficult mechanical ventilation in the postoperative period in a patient with posterior mediastinal mass.