Journal of clinical anesthesia
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Observational Study
The impact of invasive respiratory support on the development of postoperative atrial fibrillation following cardiac surgery.
Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is a frequent complication after cardiac valve- or coronary artery bypass (CABG) surgery and is associated with increased mortality. While it is known that prolonged postoperative invasive ventilation triggers POAF, the impact of ventilatory settings on POAF development has not been studied yet. ⋯ The ventilatory settings of plateau pressure, driving pressure, and respiration rate after cardiac surgery influence POAF occurrence probability. Optimized postoperative care such as lung-protective ventilation and increased awareness towards postoperative ventilatory efforts should be considered to prevent POAF development and poor patient outcome.
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Dexmedetomidine, which is commonly used for procedural sedation and as adjunct to general anesthesia for ambulatory procedures, may affect patient discharge from the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU). We hypothesized that intraoperative dexmedetomidine use in ambulatory surgery is associated with delayed discharge from the PACU and that this is modified by surgical duration and anesthesia type. ⋯ The intraoperative administration of dexmedetomidine was dose-dependently associated with a prolonged PACU length of stay. Clinicians should judiciously titrate dexmedetomidine, especially when using this long-acting drug for monitored anesthesia care for shorter procedures.
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Observational Study
The utilization of caudal hydromorphone for fast-tracking in congenital cardiac surgery in a tertiary-care Children's hospital: An audit.
Our study sought to audit our institutional practice of routine single-shot caudal epidural hydromorphone injection in children undergoing congenital cardiothoracic surgery to assess perioperative pain control and evaluate for any caudal complications. ⋯ Caudal hydromorphone injection can safely contribute to achieving "well-controlled" pain in the pediatric cardiac surgical population when used as a component of a perioperative pain control plan.