Annals of cardiac anaesthesia
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Comparative Study
Cardiac output estimation after off-pump coronary artery bypass: a comparison of two different techniques.
The present study compares the cardiac output (CO) estimated by a new, non-invsive continuous Doppler device (Ultrasonic cardiac output monitor-USCOM) with that by bolus thermodilution technique (TD). Thirty post off-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery patients were studied in this prospective nonrandomized study. Right heart CO estimation by USCOM and TD was performed and measured in quadruplet. ⋯ The mean CO was 4.63 and 4.76 Llmin as estimated by TD and USCOM respectively. For TD and USCOM, the CO had a mean bias (tendency of one technique to differ from other) of -0.13 L/min and limits of agreement (mean bias +/- 2SD) at -0.86 and 0.59 L/min. The study reveals very good agreement between the values of CO estimated by USCOM and TD.
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We investigated the potential utility of transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) in facilitating central venous catheter (CVC) insertion in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Thirty five patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery and CVC insertion were prospectively included in the observational, single-centre clinical investigation. Following induction of general anaesthesia and tracheal intubation, the TOE probe was inserted and the bicaval view obtained prior to CVC insertion (site at discretion of the anaesthesiologist). ⋯ One patient was found to have an unanticipated large mobile superior vena cava thrombus that extended into the RA, which changed clinical management by prompting initial CVC insertion into the femoral vein (potentially avoiding morbidity associated with thrombus dislodgement). Our prospective observational clinical study indicates that routine use of TOE during CVC insertion may help avoid potential complications associated with this intervention. If both CVC insertion and TOE are going to be used in the same patient, the benefits of TOE should be maximized by routine visualization of the bicaval view during guidewire insertion.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Efficacy of combined modified and conventional ultrafiltration during cardiac surgery in children.
Thirty children undergoing cardiac surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) were prospectively studied to assess beneficial effects of modified ultrafiltration (MUF) over and above conventional ultrafiltration (CUF). Transoesophaegeal echocardiography determined ejection fraction (EF), fractional area change (FAC) and posterior wall thickness in end-diastole and end-systole were measured and compared in two groups undergoing CUF (group I) and CUF plus MUF (group II). Haemodynamic data, haematocrit, temperature drift, postoperative chest tube drainage in first 48 hours, ventilation and intensive care unit (ICU) stay were also recorded. ⋯ Chest tube drainage in first 48 hours was significantly less in group 1I (100 -18 verses 85 +/-20 ml, P<0.05), but ventilation and ICU stay were not different between the two groups. Combined ultrafiltration has beneficial effect an haemodynamics with improvement in EF and FAC. It improves haematocrit and decreases chest pulse drainage.