Current opinion in anaesthesiology
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Ex-vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) has been developed to expand the donor pool for lung transplantation recipients. The role of EVLP in organ preservation, evaluation and potential reconditioning is reviewed. ⋯ EVLP has been shown to be an effective system to expand donor pool for lung transplantation without detriment to recipients. Future potential ex-vivo developments may further improve patient outcomes as well as increasing availability of donor organs.
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Hemodynamic instability is common in the perioperative period because of obligate physiologic changes that occur with surgery. Despite the frequency of such hemodynamic changes and the potential harm associated with them, particularly in the elderly, guidelines to optimize perioperative blood pressure are lacking. The present review examines recent evidence for perioperative blood pressure management in the elderly. ⋯ Precise and intentional management of hemodynamic parameters, medication regimens, and blood pressure monitoring may reduce adverse events in elderly patients undergoing surgery. Further investigation is required to identify the exact hemodynamic parameters that mitigate risk.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Feb 2020
ReviewPatients with left ventricle assist devices presenting for thoracic surgery and lung resection: tips, tricks and evidence.
Over a thousand left ventricular-assist device (LVAD) implants were performed for heart failure destination therapy in 2017. With increasing survival, we are seeing increasing numbers of patients present for noncardiac surgery, including resections for cancer. This article will review the relevant literature and guidelines for patients with LVADs undergoing thoracic surgery, including lung resection. ⋯ Successful thoracic surgery requires understanding of the LVAD physiology. Modern devices are preload dependent and afterload sensitive. The effects of one-lung ventilation, including hypoxia and hypercapnia, may increase pulmonary vascular resistance and impair the right ventricle. Successful surgery necessitates a multidisciplinary approach, including thorough preoperative assessment; optimization and planning of intraoperative management strategies; and approaches to anticoagulation, right ventricular failure and LVAD flow optimization. This article discusses recent evidence on these topics.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Feb 2020
ReviewA narrative review of electroencephalogram-based monitoring during cardiovascular surgery.
The current narrative review focuses on depth of hypnosis monitoring with electroencephalography (EEG) during cardiovascular surgery. There have been important findings in recent years regarding the challenges and limitations of EEG-based monitoring during general anesthesia. The purpose of this review is to summarize key EEG-related concepts, as well as to highlight some of the advantages and disadvantages of processed and unprocessed EEG monitoring, especially for older patients with comorbidities undergoing cardiovascular surgery. ⋯ Ability to interpret the EEG during surgery might help anesthesia clinicians to individualize anesthetic administration to prevent adverse events, and optimize postoperative recovery.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Feb 2020
ReviewAnesthetic considerations for tracheobronchial resection in oncologic surgery.
Anesthesia for the resection and reconstruction of the tracheobronchial tree for neoplastic disease is challenging, both from surgical as well as anesthetic points of view. There are no published recommendations or guidelines addressing anesthetic and airway management dilemmas that arise during these surgical interventions. This review presents key aspects of preoperative imaging evaluation, surgical planning, as well as anesthesia and airway management during these complex cases. ⋯ With advances in technology, the use of classical ventilation methods in conjunction with newer alternatives, such as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, creates the premise for a more individualized, safer and controlled approach to tracheobronchial resections for oncologic purposes.