Journal of cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesia
-
Major vascular surgery such as aortic aneurysm repair may be associated with prolonged in-patient hospitalization. Certain patients undergo a tracheostomy to aid in weaning from mechanical ventilation or for secretion management. The authors hypothesized that tracheostomy after aortic reconstruction for aneurysmal disease was associated with poor outcomes. ⋯ Tracheostomy in patients after aortic reconstruction for aneurysmal disease is associated with a high incidence of in-hospital mortality. Patients who survive to ICU discharge are likely to be transferred to a CVDU for further respiratory management. The preoperative diagnosis of COPD is associated with improved survival, whereas postoperative sepsis is associated with an increased mortality. These observations should be considered when counseling patients and their families regarding tracheostomy after aortic surgery.
-
J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Dec 2005
Caudal anesthesia in pediatric cardiac surgery: does it affect outcome?
The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of caudal anesthesia on outcomes (pediatric intensive care unit [PICU] length of stay, hospital length of stay, ventilatory time, early extubation rate) in pediatric patients undergoing congenital heart disease repair requiring cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). ⋯ This retrospective study demonstrated that postinduction placement of caudal anesthesia does not affect PICU or hospital length of stay. A well-controlled prospective study is needed to confirm these findings.
-
J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Dec 2005
Comparative Study Clinical TrialHemodynamic measurements after cardiac surgery: transesophageal Doppler versus pulmonary artery catheter.
The purpose of this study was to compare hemodynamic data derived from the transesophageal Doppler monitor (Medicina TECO, Berkshire, United Kingdom) against those obtained from a pulmonary artery catheter after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). ⋯ A transesophageal Doppler device (Medicina TECO) cannot be relied on as a sole method for monitoring cardiac output and derived hemodynamic variables in patients after CABG surgery.