Articles: operative.
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Pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) is the treatment of choice for patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (PH), provided lesions are proximal enough in the pulmonary vasculature to be surgically accessible and the patient is well enough to benefit from the operation in the longer term. It is a major cardiothoracic operation, requiring specialized techniques and instruments developed over several decades to access and dissect out the intra-arterial fibrotic material. While in-hospital operative mortality is low (<5%), particularly in high-volume centers, careful perioperative management in the operating theater and intensive care is mandatory to balance ventricular performance, fluid balance, ventilation, and coagulation to avoid or treat complications. ⋯ Successful PEA has been shown to improve both morbidity and mortality in large registries, with survival >70% at 10 years. For patients not suitable for PEA or with residual PH after PEA, balloon pulmonary angioplasty and/or PH medical therapy may prove beneficial. Here, we describe the indications for PEA, specific surgical and perioperative strategies, postoperative monitoring and management, and approaches for managing residual PH in the long term.
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Poorly controlled acute postsurgical pain is associated with delayed recovery, chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP), chronic opioid use and impaired functioning in daily activities. The aim was to determine the effectiveness of a transitional pain service (TPS) to improve quality of recovery for patients at risk of CPSP. We hypothesized that a TPS improves the quality of recovery in patients at risk of CPSP. ⋯ TPS did not significantly affect short-term quality of recovery but might improve long-term outcomes, such as the incidence of chronic pain, opioid consumption, and functioning in daily life. However, sample size in the present study was too small to provide solid evidence for this positive signal.
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Semin Respir Crit Care Med · Dec 2023
Surgery and Anesthesia in Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension.
Pulmonary hypertension is characterized by right ventricular impairment and a reduced ability to compensate for hemodynamic insults. Consequently, surgery can be challenging but is increasingly considered in view of available specific therapies and improved longer term survival. ⋯ The optimal pathway involves risk:benefit assessment for the proposed operation, optimization of pulmonary hypertension and any comorbidities, the appropriate anesthetic approach for the specific procedure and patient, and careful monitoring and management in the postoperative period. Where patients are carefully selected and meticulously managed, good outcomes can be achieved.