Journal of cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesia
-
J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Oct 2020
ReviewInterruption of the European Association of Cardiothoracic Anaesthesiology (EACTA) Fellowship Program During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic: Consequences and Solutions.
This article discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the EACTA fellowship program. The authors present three points that in their view are important and give cause for concern because they could make it difficult or impossible to achieve the original goals of the fellowship program. Corresponding points are discussed and possible solutions are presented. An implementation in the fellowship curriculum is planned.
-
J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Oct 2020
ReviewStrain Imaging: An Everyday Tool for the Perioperative Echocardiographer.
Strain analysis allows for global and regional analysis of myocardial function and has been shown to be an independent predictor of outcomes after cardiac surgery. Strain imaging offers advantages over traditional EF measurements in that it is relatively angle independent, it is less dependent upon loading conditions, it is reproducible, it does not rely on geometric assumptions, and it can detect subclinical systolic dysfunction. Limitations of strain analysis include high temporal resolution requirements, a strong dependence on image quality, and inter-vendor variability. ⋯ Accordingly, further incorporation of intraoperative strain analysis with TEE could aid in prognostication for patients undergoing cardiac surgery. As perioperative strain analysis continues to advance, an understanding of these concepts is imperative for perioperative echocardiographers. It is the authors' goal to show that strain imaging can provide a reliable and objective measure that can be performed in real time to aid in decision-making and perioperative risk stratification.
-
J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Oct 2020
Artificial Intelligence-Based Assessment of Indices of Right Ventricular Function.
Echocardiographic assessment of right ventricular (RV) function is based largely on visual estimation of tricuspid annulus and motion of the free wall. Regional strain analysis has provided an objective measure of myocardial performance assessment, but is limited in use by vendor-specific software. The study was designed to investigate statistical correlation between RV region-specific strain and echocardiographic parameters of RV function using a vendor-neutral RV-specific strain assessment program. ⋯ RV function can be assessed objectively by strain analyses across different platforms using the artificial intelligence-based vendor-neutral strain analysis software. There is a statistically significant correlation between strain values and conventional 2-dimensional echocardiographic parameters of RV function.