Anesthesiology clinics
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Anesthesiology clinics · Sep 2008
ReviewMinimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass and off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery: anesthetic considerations.
Many new surgical technologies are being developed, with the overall aim of improving outcomes. One common feature of many new technologies is that they offer a safer approach than previous techniques; one of the greatest forces for change over the last 30 years is risk reduction. ⋯ Beating heart techniques, whether minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB), off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (OPCAB), or in other forms, such as percutaneous valve replacement, are likely to dramatically increase over the next decade. What role OPCAB and MIDCAB techniques will play in this new era is anyone's guess.
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Hepatic injury in cardiac surgery is a rare complication but is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. A high index of suspicion postoperatively will lead to earlier treatment directed at eliminating or minimizing ongoing hepatic injury while preventing additional metabolic stress from ischemia, hemorrhage, or sepsis. ⋯ Although acute kidney injury (as defined by the Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss, End-stage criteria) has become accepted, it does not address pathogenesis and bears little relevance to cardiac surgery. Although acute renal failure requiring renal replacement therapy after cardiac surgery is rare, it has a devastating impact on morbidity and mortality, and further studies on protective strategies are essential.
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Anesthesiologists increasingly encounter patients who have a spectrum of heart failure ranging from stable chronic heart failure to acute heart failure to cardiogenic shock. Improved medical therapy has increased the survival of patients who have chronic heart failure but not of patients who have acute heart failure. New surgical techniques and mechanical devices may offer alternatives to certain patients who have refractory heart failure This article provides an overview of established and newer pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic therapies and surgical interventions to manage patients who have heart failure, including the perioperative management of heart transplantation and ventricular assist devices.
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Anesthesiology clinics · Sep 2008
Perioperative echocardiography: two-dimensional and three-dimensional applications.
Perioperative echocardiography is an essential skill for today's cardiac anesthesiologist and a driving force for innovation and accomplishment for the future of the subspecialty. Real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (RT3-D TEE) will dominate the future practice of perioperative echocardiography, but transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) will grow in application, as will contrast echocardiography. Hand-held ultrasonongraphs will rival current machines in capabilities and make it possible for TTE to become the stethoscope of the future for cardiac anesthesiologists.
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Aortic stenosis is one of the most common valve pathologies found in adults. Aortic valve replacement via a sternotomy and cardiopulmonary bypass is the treatment of choice for patients with symptomatic aortic stenosis with very acceptable risk. ⋯ Novel surgical technique and valve technology offers an alternative treatment for aortic valve stenosis. Endovascular transcatheter aortic valve replacement is an emerging and promising technique, and may lower the risk in this subset of difficult patients.