Current opinion in anaesthesiology
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Feb 2020
ReviewAnesthetic management of lung transplantation: impact of presenting disease.
Recent literature has described the emerging role of anesthesiologists as key members of the lung transplantation team and the impact of anesthetic management on outcomes. This review examines the impact of presenting cause of end-stage lung disease (ESLD) on anesthetic management. ⋯ The application of these updated findings should assist anesthesiologists as they develop internal protocols and external guidelines to integrate within multidisciplinary teams caring for the lung transplant patient.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Feb 2020
ReviewUltrasound-guided blocks for cardiovascular surgery: which block for which patient?
Regional anesthesia blocks may benefit patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery. This review coincides with the evolution of ultrasound-guided fascial plane blocks, societal concerns regarding opioid misuse and changing expectations regarding surgical recovery. ⋯ Ultrasound-guided fascial plane blocks may reduce postoperative opioid requirements. Investigation into the safety and efficacy of bilateral continuous ultrasound-guided blockade for cardiac surgery is required. Trial protocols should be embedded into enhanced recovery after surgery programs. Patient-reported and long-term outcomes are recommended.
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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
Transesophageal echocardiography in minimally invasive cardiac surgery.
Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has made its way into the cardiac surgery realm and spurred the development of many interventions. In the domain of minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS), TEE has become central to reducing cardiovascular complications. ⋯ Advanced imaging modalities are essential for the sustained growth of MICS, particularly with the evolution of novel transcatheter systems. These techniques rely on exceptional imaging quality at all stages of the perioperative period to modify surgical-risk and improve patient outcomes. TEE has the additional benefit of providing real-time information on intrathoracic structures to guide intraoperative management.