Journal of cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesia
-
J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Jun 2007
Patient understanding of the importance of beta-blocker use in the perioperative period.
Perioperative beta-adrenergic blockade has been shown to decrease morbidity and mortality after noncardiac surgery. The objective of this study was to determine patient knowledge of the importance of perioperative beta-blockade in a population already taking chronic therapy and to assess the effectiveness of medical and surgical providers in patient education regarding these benefits. ⋯ This study suggests low patient understanding of the potential importance and reasons for perioperative beta-blockade. Patients who recognized perioperative benefit identified antihypertensive versus cardioprotective effects. Clinicians can improve education of patients already taking daily beta-blockers regarding these potential benefits.
-
J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Jun 2007
Randomized Controlled TrialEffects of alveolar recruitment on arterial oxygenation in patients after cardiac surgery: a prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial.
Pulmonary atelectasis and hypoxemia remain considerable problems after cardiac surgery. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of consecutive vital capacity maneuvers (C-VCMs) to improve oxygenation in patients after cardiac surgery. ⋯ C-VCM is an effective method to reduce hypoxemia associated with the formation of atelectasis after cardiac surgery with CPB.
-
J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Jun 2007
Predictors of perioperative beta-blockade use in vascular surgery: a mail survey of United States anesthesiologists.
It was hypothesized that anesthesiologists' decisions to provide perioperative beta-blockade during vascular surgery would be influenced more by physician factors than by those of their patients. ⋯ Preferences for perioperative beta-blockade use in vascular surgery patients are influenced by anesthesiologists' demographics as well as patient comorbidities or degree of surgical stress. This finding suggests that efforts to increase perioperative beta-blockade in high-risk vascular patients face significant barriers from some groups of clinicians.