Current opinion in anaesthesiology
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Feb 2022
ReviewInhalational or total intravenous anesthetic for cardiac surgery: does the debate even exist?
Perioperative myocardial injury related to cardiac surgery is associated with organ dysfunction and increased mortality. Volatile anesthetics (VA) have been used during cardiac surgery for decades because of their direct and indirect preconditioning and protection against ischemia-reperfusion injury. The current review provides a summary of the latest literature comparing pharmacological preconditioning and the potential benefits of using VA versus total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) for general anesthesia to improve outcomes after cardiac surgery. ⋯ Research findings regarding the use of volatile anesthetic versus TIVA for better outcomes after cardiac surgery are inconsistent. Variability in timing, duration, dosing, and type of VA as well as surgical and patient-related factors may have influenced these results. Therefore, either technique can reasonably be adopted depending on provider and institutional preference and used safely in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.
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Since the advent of the Fontan palliation, survival of patients with univentricular congenital heart disease has increased significantly. These patients will, however, ultimately develop heart failure requiring advanced therapies such as heart transplantation. As wait times are long, mechanical circulatory support (MCS) is an attractive therapy, both for bridge to transplantation and destination therapy in patients not suitable for transplantation. This review aims to summarize current thinking about how to determine which patients would benefit from a ventricular assist device (VAD), the optimal time for implantation and which device should be considered. ⋯ Fontan patients demonstrating signs of heart failure should be evaluated early and often for feasibility and optimal timing of VAD implantation. The frequency of this procedure will likely increase significantly in the future.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Feb 2022
ReviewShould fluid management in thoracic surgery be goal directed?
To find a reliable answer to the question in the title: Should fluid management in thoracic surgery be goal directed? ⋯ Although the evidence level is low, GDT is generally associated with fewer postoperative complications. It can be helpful in decision-making for volume-optimization, timing of fluid administration, and indication of vasoactive agents.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Feb 2022
Review Meta AnalysisProthrombin complex concentrates in cardiac surgery: where are we?
Major bleeding in cardiac surgery is commonly encountered, and, until recently, most frequently managed with fresh frozen plasma (FFP). However, a Cochrane review found this practice to be associated with a significant increase in red blood cell (RBC) transfusions and costs. These findings have led to off-label uses of prothrombin complex concentrates (PCCs) in cardiac surgery. The purpose of this review is to compare and contrast the use of FFP and PCC, review the components, limitations and risks of different types of PCCs, and discuss the latest evidence for the use of PCC versus FFP in cardiac surgery. ⋯ The current data supports the use of 4F-PCC instead of FFP as the primary hemostatic agent in cases of major bleeding in cardiac surgery. The use of PCCs is associated with reduced rates of RBC transfusions while maintaining a favorable safety profile. Clear advantages of PCC over FFP include its smaller volume, higher concentration of coagulation factors and shorter acquisition and administration times.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Feb 2022
ReviewPreoperative evaluation in thoracic surgery: limits of the patient's functional operability and consequence for perioperative anaesthesiologic management.
Preoperative evaluation of older and more morbid patients in thoracic surgery is getting more advanced. In this context, early risk stratification has a crucial role for adequate informed decision-making, and thus for generating favourable effects of clinical outcome. ⋯ A comprehensive risk stratification by anaesthesiologists generates valuable guidance for the best strategy of clinical treatment. This includes preoperative, peri-operative and postoperative interventions, provided by interdisciplinary healthcare providers, resulting in an Early Risk Stratification and Strategy ('ERSAS') pathway.