The heart surgery forum
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The heart surgery forum · Jan 2018
Impact of Major Pulmonary Resections on Right Ventricular Function: Early Postoperative Changes.
Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction after pulmonary resection in the early postoperative period is documented by reduced RV ejection fraction and increased RV end-diastolic volume index. Supraventricular arrhythmia, particularly atrial fibrillation, is common after pulmonary resection. RV assessment can be done by non-invasive methods and/or invasive approaches such as right cardiac catheterization. Incorporation of a rapid response thermistor to pulmonary artery catheter permits continuous measurements of cardiac output, right ventricular ejection fraction, and right ventricular end-diastolic volume. It can also be used for right atrial and right ventricular pacing, and for measuring right-sided pressures, including pulmonary capillary wedge pressure. ⋯ There is right ventricular dysfunction early after major pulmonary resection caused by increased right ventricular afterload. This dysfunction is more present in pneumonectomy than in lobectomy. Heart rate, mean pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance, right ventricular ejection fraction, and right ventricular end diastolic volume index are significantly affected by pulmonary resection.
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The heart surgery forum · Dec 2017
ReviewExtracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO): An Option for Cardiac Reccovery from Advanced Cardiogenic Shock.
Mechanical circulatory support can prevent multi-organ failure and death in patients with advanced cardiogenic shock. Here we describe our experience using extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for treatment of advanced cardiogenic shock which has been used by our team for daily routine care in more than 200 patients during the last five years at the Penn State Medical Center. Venoarterial (VA) ECMO has been used as a viable therapeutic option for advanced cardiogenic shock as a bridge to recovery (BTR) or bridge to next decision (BTD). Our group performed a retrospective review of data from 155 patients from our single center cohort treated with VA ECMO for advanced cardiogenic shock. After successful ECMO treatment, the one year survival rate of patients with ischemic heart disease was 73.7 %, and the one year survival for patients with non-ischemic heart disease was 75%.
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The heart surgery forum · Dec 2017
Cardiac Rehabilitation Increases the Reliability of the 6-Minute Walk Test in Patients After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery.
Few data are available on the capacity for functional exercise after cardiac rehabilitation in patients who have undergone coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical and biochemical factors that affect the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) results in patients who have undergone CABG. ⋯ Overall, in current clinical settings, cardiac rehabilitation increases the reliability of the 6MWT. Improvement in pulmonary function after cardiac rehabilitation reduces the impact of pulmonary function on 6MWT values. The functional capacity of patients may be more reliably determined by 6MWT after cardiac rehabilitation.
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Vasoplegic syndrome is a form of vasodilatory shock that occurs frequently in patients who undergo cardiac surgery requiring cardiopulmonary bypass (CBP). Treatment often demands high doses of vasopressors over sustained periods for hypotension that can be refractory to standard vasoactive medications. ⋯ Methylene blue (MB) has become a popular therapy for cardiac vasoplegia despite a paucity of prospective data to direct its use. Therefore, the aim of this study was to review available data regarding mechanisms, dosing strategies, and side effects of MB, with a focus on its applications for vasoplegia in cardiac surgery.
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The heart surgery forum · Aug 2017
Randomized Controlled TrialRandomized Trial of Sternal Closure for Low Risk Patients: Rigid Fixation versus Wire Closure.
A previous retrospective analysis of our cardiac surgery patients showed shortened ventilation time and hospital stay among patients receiving rigid sternal fixation compared to sternal wire fixation. We performed a prospective randomized study to further investigate these outcomes and determine if rigid closure can provide reduced pain after cardiac surgery. ⋯ Of 80 patients, 39 patients were in Group R (average age 65 ± 8; 31 male and 8 female) and 41 patients were in Group C (average age 66 ± 9; 34 male and 7 female). Group R patients had a higher body mass index than patients in Group C (Group R: 31 ± 5; Group C: 29 ± 5; P = .04). No significant differences in the end points of intubation time and postoperative pain were observed. Conclusion: This randomized study of cardiac surgery patients showed no significant benefits of rigid fixation over conventional sternal wire closure with regard to intubation time, postoperative pain, or length of hospital stay.