Annals of cardiac anaesthesia
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A sizable number of cardiac surgical patients are difficult to wean off cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) as a result of structural or functional cardiac abnormalities, vasoplegic syndrome, or ventricular dysfunction. In these cases, therapeutic decisions have to be taken quickly for successful separation from CPB. ⋯ However, because of the lack of evidence-based guidelines, there is a large variability regarding the use of cardiovascular drugs and mechanical circulatory support at the time of weaning from the CPB. This review presents key features for risk stratification and risk modulation as well as a standardized physiological approach to achieve successful weaning from CPB.
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Case Reports
Compression of undiagnosed aberrant right subclavian artery during transesophageal echocardiography probe insertion.
Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has become an important monitoring tool for the anesthesiologist during repair of intracardiac defects. Although the incidence of reported complications associated with its use is low, one should be careful during the insertion and use of TEE probe, as it may result in potential devastating problems. We present a case of undiagnosed aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA) that got compressed by the TEE probe during its insertion. It was noticed because of the presence of the right radial artery catheter, else it would have passed unnoticed.
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Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). The value of N-terminal (Nt)-pro brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in predicting AF complicating cardiac surgery is not well studied. Our objective is to determine its predictive value in the occurrence of AF after cardiac surgery with CPB. ⋯ A threshold value of 353.5 pg/mL of Nt-proBNP at the end of the CPB showed a sensitivity of 71% and a specificity of 84% for the prediction of AF and an AUC of 0.711. The threshold value (307.5 pg/mL) of Nt- proBNP measured at H4 had the same sensitivity but a lower specificity (74%) and AUC = 0.709. We conclude that Nt-proBNP values of 353 and 307 pg/mL at 0 and 4 hour after CPB could predict occurrence of AF.
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Case Reports
Dexmedetomidine controls junctional ectopic tachycardia during Tetralogy of Fallot repair in an infant.
Dexmedetomidine is a highly selective α2 -adrenergic agonist approved for short-term sedation and monitored anesthesia care in adults. Although not approved for use in the pediatric population, an increasing number of reports describe its use in pediatric patients during the intraoperative period and in the intensive care unit. Dexmedetomidine can potentially have an adverse impact on the cardiovascular system secondary to its negative chronotropic and dromotropic effects. ⋯ Within 15 min of increasing the dexmedetomidine infusion from 0.5 to 3 μg/kg/h, JET converted to normal sinus rhythm. This case report provides additional anecdotal evidence that dexmedetomidine may have a therapeutic role in the treatment of perioperative tachyarrhythmias in pediatric patients with CHD. The specific effects of dexmedetomidine on the cardiac conduction system are reviewed followed by a summary of previous reports describing its use as a therapeutic agent to treat perioperative arrhythmias.