Journal of cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesia
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Apr 2022
ReviewEfficacy, Safety, and Strategies for Recombinant-Activated Factor VII in Cardiac Surgical Bleeding: A Narrative Review.
As perioperative bleeding continues to be a major source of morbidity and mortality in cardiac surgery, the search continues for an ideal hemostatic agent for use in this patient population. Transfusion of blood products has been associated both with increased costs and risks, such as infection, prolonged mechanical ventilation, increased length of stay, and decreased survival. Recombinant-activated factor VII (rFVIIa) first was approved for the US market in 1999 and since that time has been used in a variety of clinical settings. This review summarizes the existing literature pertaining to perioperative rFVIIa, in addition to society recommendations and current guidelines regarding its use in cardiac surgery.
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Apr 2022
ReviewThe Year in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia: Selected Highlights from 2021.
This special article is the fourteenth in an annual series for the Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia. The authors thank the Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Kaplan, and the editorial board for the opportunity to continue this series; namely, the research highlights of the past year in the specialty of cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesiology. ⋯ The fourth and final theme is an update in heart failure, with discussion of diverse aspects of this area. The themes selected for this fourteenth special article are only a few of the diverse advances in the specialty during 2021. These highlights will inform the reader of key updates on a variety of topics, leading to improvement of perioperative outcomes for patients with cardiothoracic and vascular disease.
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Apr 2022
ReviewAcute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in the Perioperative Period of Cardiac Surgery: Predictors, Diagnosis, Prognosis, Management Options, and Future Directions.
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) after cardiac surgery is reported with a widely variable incidence (from 0.4%-8.1%). Cardiac surgery patients usually are affected by several comorbidities, and the development of ARDS significantly affects their prognosis. Herein, evidence regarding the current knowledge in the field of ARDS in cardiac surgery is summarized and is followed by a discussion on therapeutic strategies, with consideration of the peculiar aspects of ARDS after cardiac surgery. ⋯ For instance, prone positioning may not be easily applicable after cardiac surgery. In patients who develop ARDS after cardiac surgery, extracorporeal techniques may be a valid choice in experienced hands. The use of neuromuscular blockade and inhaled nitric oxide can be considered on a case-by-case basis, whereas the use of aggressive lung recruitment and oscillatory ventilation should be discouraged.
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Apr 2022
Observational StudyPrecannulation International Normalized Ratio is Independently Associated With Mortality in Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.
To explore whether precannulation international normalized ratio (INR) is associated with in-hospital mortality in venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) patients. ⋯ An INR >1.8 before VA-ECMO cannulation is associated independently with in-hospital mortality. Precannulation INR should be considered by clinicians so that ECMO resources can be better allocated and risks of organ failure and intracranial hemorrhage can be better understood.