A&A practice
-
It is well known that antithrombin (AT) deficiency results in decreased heparin sensitivity, also known as "heparin resistance." However, non-AT-mediated causes of heparin resistance are generally poorly characterized and less prevalent in the literature. We present 2 case reports of non-AT-mediated heparin resistance during cardiac surgery due to paraproteinemia and hyperfibrinogenemia. These cases highlight the challenges posed by unusual conditions in achieving adequate anticoagulation for cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). The pros and cons of the treatment selections for these cases are discussed, and the potential complications of large doses of unfractionated heparin are considered.
-
Comparative Study
Comparison of Twitter Use of the American Society of Anesthesiologists and the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists.
Twitter has become a powerful tool for dissemination of information. The objective of this study was to evaluate Twitter usage of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) and the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA). All tweets from ASA ("@ASALifeline") and AANA ("@aanawebupdates") were collected over a 1-year time period. ⋯ Twitter use was highest in October for ASA and September for AANA. Both societies are actively using Twitter. Future work should evaluate the impact of societal Twitter use.
-
Case Reports
Tricuspid Valve Avulsion After Blunt Chest Wall Trauma: A Case Report for Urgent Valve Replacement.
Tricuspid valve (TV) avulsion is rare and ordinarily does not require emergent intervention. We present the case of a polytrauma patient with traumatic TV avulsion who ultimately required urgent TV replacement in the setting of hemodynamic instability. Urgent TV replacement may be warranted after careful consideration of patient risk factors and clinical context.
-
We present a case of a 69-year-old man who underwent tracheobronchoplasty for tracheobronchomalacia using a single-lumen endotracheal tube and a Y-shaped bronchial blocker for airway management. Tracheobronchoplasty is performed by sewing mesh to plicate the posterior, membranous wall of the distal trachea and main bronchi through a right posterolateral thoracotomy. ⋯ Ideally, only conventional airway management tools are used. This case demonstrates that a single-lumen endotracheal tube with a bronchial blocker can be a straightforward strategy for airway management during tracheobronchoplasty.
-
We present a case of a pediatric patient who developed recurarization after a cardiac catheterization procedure. Intraoperative neuromuscular blockade was achieved with 2 doses of rocuronium, and the blockade was reversed with a bolus dose of sugammadex at the end of the procedure. While recovering in the pediatric cardiac intensive care unit, the patient developed respiratory failure and a decline in the train-of-four response. The patient fully recovered after receiving a second dose of sugammadex.