Journal of cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesia
-
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.
-
J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Feb 2023
ReviewA Free-Access Online Interactive Simulator to Enhance Perioperative Transesophageal Echocardiography Training Using a High-Fidelity Human Heart 3D Model.
The clinical uses of perioperative transesophageal echocardiography have grown exponentially in recent years for both cardiac and noncardiac surgical patients. Yet, echocardiography is a complex skill that also requires an advanced understanding of human cardiac anatomy. Although simulation has changed the way echocardiography is taught, most available systems are still limited by investment costs, accessibility, and qualities of the input cardiac 3-dimensional models. In this report, the authors discuss the development of an online simulator using a high-resolution human heart scan that accurately represents real cardiac anatomies, and that should be accessible to a wide range of learners without space or time limitations.
-
J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Feb 2023
ReviewThe Year in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia: Selected Highlights from 2022.
This special article is the 15th 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 specialties of cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesiology. ⋯ The fourth and final theme is an update on cardiac surgery, with a discussion of the diverse aspects of concomitant valvular surgery and the optimal approach to procedural treatment for coronary artery disease. The themes selected for this 15th special article are only a few of the diverse advances in the specialties during 2022. These highlights will inform the reader of key updates on a variety of topics, leading to the improvement of perioperative outcomes for patients with cardiothoracic and vascular disease.
-
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.