Articles: postoperative.
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Postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) occurs in 30-40% of patients after cardiac surgery. Identification of recurrent postoperative AF is required to initiate evidence-based management to reduce the risk of subsequent stroke. However, as AF is often asymptomatic, recurrences may not be detected after discharge. This study determines feasibility and impact of a self-surveillance programme to identify recurrence of postoperative AF in the month of posthospital discharge. ⋯ Primary ethics approval was received on 25 February 2014 from Northern Sydney Local Health District Human Resource Ethics Committee, and on 17 July 2014 from North Shore Private Hospital Ethics Committee. Results will be disseminated via forums including, but not limited to, peer-reviewed publications and presentation at national and international conferences.
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Observational Study
Reliability of the surgical Pleth index for assessment of postoperative pain: A pilot study.
Postoperative pain control is essential and may have a beneficial effect on postoperative outcome and morbidity. Analgesia quality is controlled using tools such as a Numerical Rating Scale (NRS). These tools require cooperation and often fail in the presence of reduced awareness. The Surgical Pleth index (SPI) has been introduced as a monitoring tool for intraoperative pain under general anaesthesia. ⋯ Sensitivity and specificity of SPI to discriminate between low, moderate and severe pain levels was moderate. Both NRS and SPI correlated significantly with total opioid consumption.