Journal of cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesia
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Feb 2023
Meta AnalysisEffect of the Paravertebral Block on Chronic Postsurgical Pain After Thoracic Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
This study aimed to identify the benefits of thoracic paravertebral block (PVB) by focusing on its role in reducing chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) after thoracic surgery. ⋯ Thoracic PVB does not prevent CPSP after thoracic surgery. Further large RCTs are required to confirm and validate the authors' results.
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Feb 2023
ReviewTreatment Strategies in Anemic Patients Before Cardiac Surgery.
Both preoperative anemia and the transfusion of red blood cells have been associated with increased morbidity and mortality after cardiac surgery. To reduce the need for blood transfusion during surgery and improve patient outcomes, patient blood management programs have been developed. A primary focus of patient blood management in the preoperative period is the identification, diagnosis, and treatment of preoperative anemia, as anemia is associated with an increased risk of preoperative blood transfusion. ⋯ Combined therapy might effectively reduce the need for red blood cell transfusion, even if applied shortly before cardiac surgery. The therapeutic effect on morbidity and mortality remains unclear. Nonetheless, the timely preoperative assessment of anemia and determination of iron status, eventually leading to targeted therapy, should become a standard of care and might potentially improve patient outcomes.
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Feb 2023
Multicenter StudyImpact of Preoperative Hematocrit, Body Mass Index, and Red Cell Mass on Allogeneic Blood Product Usage in Adult Cardiac Surgical Patients: Report From a Statewide Quality Initiative.
The study aims were to evaluate current blood transfusion practice in cardiac surgical patients and to explore associations between preoperative anemia, body mass index (BMI), red blood cell (RBC) mass, and allogeneic transfusion. ⋯ Transfusion probability modeling based on calculated RBC mass eliminated sex differences in transfusion risk based on preoperative hematocrit, and may better delineate which patients may benefit from more rigorous perioperative blood conservation strategy.
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Feb 2023
ReviewAn Expert Review of Chest Wall Fascial Plane Blocks for Cardiac Surgery.
The recent integration of regional anesthesia techniques into the cardiac surgical patient population has become a component of enhanced recovery after cardiac surgery pathways. Fascial planes of the chest wall enable single-injection or catheter-based infusions to spread local anesthetic over multiple levels of innervation. Although median sternotomy remains a common approach to cardiac surgery, minimally invasive techniques have integrated additional methods of performing cardiac surgery. ⋯ Any of these techniques has the potential to provide bilateral chest wall analgesia. The relative novelty of these techniques requires ongoing research to be strategic, thoughtful, and focused on clinically meaningful outcomes to enable widespread evidence-based implementation. This review article discusses the key perspectives for performing and assessing chest wall blocks in a cardiac surgical population.
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Feb 2023
Racial and Ethnic Differences in the Receipt of Regional Anesthesia Among Patients Undergoing Thoracic Surgery.
The objective of this study was to assess differences in the use of perioperative regional anesthesia for thoracic surgery based on race and ethnicity. ⋯ There were differences observed in the provision of regional anesthesia for thoracic surgery among ethnic groups. Although the results of this study should not be taken as evidence for healthcare disparities, it could be used to support hypotheses for future studies that aim to investigate causes of disparities and corresponding patient outcomes.