Journal of cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesia
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Jul 2022
ReviewThe Year in Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: Selected Highlights From 2021.
This review summarizes the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) or extracorporeal life support literature published in 2021. This Selected Highlights article is not intended to be an exhaustive review of the literature, but rather a summarizing of key themes that developed in the ECMO literature during 2021. The primary topics presented include the following: ECMO for coronavirus disease 2019, extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation, periprocedural cardiopulmonary support with ECMO, and anticoagulation for ECMO.
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Jul 2022
ReviewContrast-Enhanced Echocardiography Application in Patients Supported by Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO): A Narrative Review.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a lifesaving intervention increasingly used to support patients with severe respiratory and cardiac dysfunction. Echocardiography is an important tool, aiding implantation and monitoring during ECMO therapy, but often its use is limited by poor acoustic windows. ⋯ In this article the authors review the literature addressing the use of contrast-enhanced echocardiography (CEE) in ECMO-supported patients. The authors discuss the role of CEE in guiding implantation of ECMO, cardiac assessment and diagnosis of complications during ECMO therapy, as well as the safety of ultrasound-enhancing agents in this cohort of patients.
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Jul 2022
ReviewIntraoperative Hypotension-Physiologic Basis and Future Directions.
Intraoperative hypotension (IOH) is a major concern to the anesthesiologist. Its appropriate identification and management require an understanding of the physiology of blood pressure regulation, prudent blood pressure monitoring, and treatment. Even short durations of low mean arterial pressure have been associated with adverse postoperative clinical outcomes. ⋯ This new technology has the potential to reduce duration or even prevent IOH. In the authors' opinion, it is an example of how human-machine interaction will contribute to future advances in medicine. Additional studies should evaluate the effects of its use on postoperative outcomes.
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Jul 2022
A Comparative Study of Multiple Electrode Aggregometry Technologies in Cardiac Surgery: Different Values, Same Clinical Relevance.
The assessment of platelet function in cardiac surgery patients who recently received dual-antiplatelet therapy is considered in the existing guidelines. Among available devices, Multiplate (MP) and ROTEM Platelet (RP) are both based on electrical impedance. This study aimed to determine the agreement between MP and RP in cardiac surgery patients under dual-antiplatelet therapy discontinued before surgery. Secondarily, it compared the ability of the MP and RP in predicting postoperative bleeding and the need for platelet transfusion. ⋯ Both technologies seemed to offer potential benefits in the surgical approach to patients who preoperatively received antiplatelet drugs. However, the results of these tests are not interchangeable, and different cut-off values should be applied.
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Jul 2022
ReviewAnalysis of the 2020 EACTS/ELSO/STS/AATS Expert Guidelines on the Management of Adult Postcardiotomy Extracorporeal Life Support.
Extracorporeal life support (ECLS), also known as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), increasingly is used in postcardiotomy (PC) shock to facilitate a bridge to sustained recovery, long-term mechanical support, or heart transplantation. Given increasing prevalence and complexity of PC-ECLS, a joint expert consensus guideline was created in 2020 for management of adult PC-ECLS by the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS), the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO), the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS), and the American Association of Thoracic Surgery (AATS). The aim of this analysis was to comprehensively review the expert consensus guidelines, with particular emphasis on PC-ECLS candidacy, timing, cannula configuration, left ventricular distention, anticoagulation, ECLS weaning, and intensive care unit complications. This analysis finds the expert consensus guideline to be timely, pertinent, and clinically valuable, although there remains the need for larger clinical trials to codify best practices.