Key Points 1. The key to successful weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is proper preparation. 2. After rewarming the patient, correcting any abnormal blood gases, and inflating the lungs, make sure to turn on the ventilator. 3. To prepare the…
Key Points 1. It is easiest to think of coagulation as a wave of biologic activity occurring at the site of tissue injury, consisting of initiation, acceleration, control, and lysis. 2. Hemostasis is part of a larger body system: inflammation.…
Key Points 1. Guideline updates emphasize the efficacy of surgical approaches to myocardial revascularization in patients with multivessel coronary artery disease. 2. Perioperative risk reduction includes careful consideration of all of the patient's relevant antihypertensive, antiplatelet, and antianginal medications. 3.…
Key Points 1. Patients with severe cardiovascular disease and those undergoing surgery associated with rapid hemodynamic changes should be adequately monitored at all times. 2. Standard monitoring for cardiac surgery patients includes invasive blood pressure, electrocardiography, central venous pressure, urine…
Key Points 1. The key to successful weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is proper preparation and close communication between the surgeon, anesthesiologist, and perfusionist. A checklist may be useful. 2. After rewarming the patient, correcting any abnormal blood gases, and…
Key Points 1. All anesthesiologists who care for patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) should be intimately familiar with the details and function of the extracorporeal circuit (ECC) or “heart-lung machine,” and be involved in the establishment of protocols and the…
Key Points 1. Anesthesiologists are part of a multidisciplinary patient management team. 2. Updated guidelines identify appropriate indications for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) versus percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with multivessel or left main coronary artery disease (CAD).…
Key Points 1. Standard monitoring for cardiac surgery patients includes electrocardiography, invasive blood pressure, central venous pressure, urine output, temperature, capnometry, pulse oximetry, and intermittent blood gas analysis. 2. Additional monitoring is based on specific patient, surgical, and environmental factors.…
Key Points 1. Transvenous cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) include pacemakers (PMs), implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), and cardiac resynchronization therapy pacemakers (CRT-Ps) and defibrillators (CRT-Ds). In addition to delivering antitachycardia therapy, all modern transvenous ICDs and CRT-Ds have antibradycardia pacing…