Key Points Lung isolation should only be performed by well-trained and experienced practitioners who understand the significant risks and benefits of such techniques. Indications for lung isolation include protection of the healthy lung from contamination in the case of infection…
Tubeless thoracic procedures are performed without an endotracheal tube while the patient is spontaneously breathing. Initially it was defined as an “awake” thoracic procedure, but the term was updated to “tubeless” because these procedures are performed with sedation and/or regional…
Introduction Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death in the United States. Emphysema is one component of COPD, and it is estimated that 3.1 million adults in the United States are currently diagnosed with emphysema.…
Introduction Thoracic procedures are usually performed with the patient in the lateral decubitus position. To understand the distribution of ventilation and perfusion in the lateral decubitus position and the degree of venous admixture of shunt (Qs/Qt) is expressed as a…
The respiratory and circulatory systems play a major role in the transportation of oxygen from the atmosphere to mitochondria and transportation of carbon dioxide from cells to the atmosphere. They accomplish these tasks by alternate steps of convection and diffusion.…
Introduction The history of anesthesia for thoracic surgery incorporates much of the history of anesthesia because contemporary thoracic anesthesia is a culmination of advances in all aspects of anesthesia. Knowledge and expertise with preoperative evaluation, airway management, intraoperative monitoring, pharmacologic…