Journal of cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesia
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Oct 2023
Preoperative Tricuspid Regurgitation Is Associated With Long-Term Mortality and Is Graded More Severe Than Intraoperative Tricuspid Regurgitation.
To determine whether preoperative (preop) tricuspid regurgitation (TR) severity grade was associated with postoperative mortality, to examine the correlation between pre-op and intraoperative (intraop) TR grades, and to understand which TR grade had better prognostic predictability in cardiac surgery patients. ⋯ The authors found that echocardiographically-determined preop TR grade at the time of surgical planning was associated with long-term mortality, starting even at a mild grade. Preop grades were higher than intraop grades, with a moderate correlation. Preop and intraop grades exhibited similar prognostic implications.
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Oct 2023
Extubation in the Operating Room After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery Reduces Hospital Stay.
The aim of this analysis was to compare the effect of extubating in the operating room (OR) versus and the intensive care unit (ICU) among patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). ⋯ In the REPLICCAR II database, extubation performed in the OR was associated with a reduced length of postoperative and total hospital stays compared to extubation in the ICU.
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Oct 2023
A Practical Guide for Using the EZ-Blocker Endobronchial Blocker: Tips and Tricks After 10 Years of Experience.
The EZ-Blocker (EZB) is a "Y-shaped," semirigid endobronchial blocker used for lung isolation and one-lung ventilation during thoracic surgery. Like many medical tools, initial efforts to use this endobronchial blocker may prove challenging for the uninitiated. However, some tips and tricks can be applied fairly rapidly to aid the clinician in properly placing the device, and, furthermore, may help the clinician get the most out of this innovative device. ⋯ The underlying design of the EZB remains unique among commercially available bronchial blockers in improving positional stability. The Y-shaped conformation, however, can lead to challenges when positioning the device in some patients. Therefore, some very practical tips and tricks are provided to assist the clinician in correctly positioning the device and other hints to improve the quality of lung isolation and surgical conditions.