Key Points 1. Monitoring the effect of heparin is done using the activated coagulation time (ACT), a functional test of heparin anticoagulation. The ACT is susceptible to prolongation because of hypothermia and hemodilution and to reduction because of platelet activation…
Key Points 1. Monitoring the effect of heparin is done using the activated clotting time (ACT), a functional test of heparin anticoagulation. The ACT is susceptible to prolongation because of hypothermia and hemodilution and to reduction because of platelet activation.…
1 What are the main functions of the cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) circuit? The CPB circuit functions as the temporary equivalent of the native cardiopulmonary system. The CPB circuit allows for perfusion of the patient's vital organs, while oxygenating the blood…
1 Define pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary artery hypertension. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) refers to a mean pulmonary arterial pressure (> 25 mm Hg) from any cause. Pulmonary artery hypertension (World Health Organization [WHO] group 1) was previously referred to as primary…
1 What are the benefits of vasoactive agents? All major components governing the physiology of cardiac output, such as preload, afterload, inotropy, and chronotropy can be modulated by vasoactive agents. An underlying concept is the Frank-Starling principle, which states that…