Canadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d'anesthésie
-
Albumin solution is a colloid used for resuscitation in cardiac surgical patients, but it is unclear if it offers advantages over crystalloids. We examined current clinical practice across 11 cardiac surgical centres and the association of albumin with outcomes in a cohort of bleeding cardiac surgical patients. ⋯ Albumin use is common but highly variable within and across sites. Albumin use was not associated with improved outcomes. High quality randomized controlled trials should clarify its role in cardiac surgical patients.
-
Review Case Reports
The role of echocardiography in amniotic fluid embolism: a case series and review of the literature.
Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is a rare, but often fatal condition characterized by sudden hemodynamic instability and coagulopathy occurring during labour or in the early postpartum period. As the mechanisms leading to shock and the cardiovascular effects of AFE are incompletely understood, the purpose of this case series is to describe how AFE presents on echocardiography and review limited reports in the literature. ⋯ This case series and literature review of AFE emphasizes the importance of echocardiography in elucidating the etiology of maternal shock. The presence of right ventricular failure may be considered an important criterion to diagnose AFE.