Best practice & research. Clinical anaesthesiology
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Best Pract Res Clin Anaesthesiol · Sep 2009
ReviewThe impact of routine trans-oesophageal echocardiography (TOE) in cardiac surgery.
Trans-oesophageal echocardiography (TOE) has profoundly changed cardiac surgery and the role of the cardiac anaesthesiologist. It has been the driving force for a real-time diagnostic and decision-making partnership between cardiac anaesthesiologists and cardiac surgeons that has significantly advanced the safety and effectiveness of modern cardiac surgery. With the information provided by TOE, anaesthesiologists and surgeons may redirect the care of cardiac surgical patients to decrease morbidity and mortality. ⋯ While some colleagues continue to question whether TOE should be used routinely in all cardiac surgical patients, we believe that it is impossible to predict in which cardiac patients TOE will discover vitally important new information. Therefore, we recommend that in the absence of contraindication to oesophageal instrumentation with the probe, TOE should be performed in all cardiac surgical patients. With routine TOE use, TOE will have its greatest benefit.
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Best Pract Res Clin Anaesthesiol · Sep 2009
ReviewUltrasound guided vascular access: efficacy and safety.
Central venous catheterisation and arterial catheterisation are common procedures performed by anaesthetists. Traditionally, the technique of locating surface landmarks and palpation was used to assist in vascular access. ⋯ In the United States and United Kingdom, guidelines have recommended the use of ultrasound guidance to reduce complications and improve success in central venous catheterisation. This article summarises the literature on complication rates, efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided vascular access procedures and describes a practical method of ultrasound-guided central venous access and arterial catheterisation.
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Ultrasound is used in anaesthesia for diagnostic and interventional reasons. This article gives the anaesthesiolgoist an overview about the relevant indications for ultrasound in non-cardiac surgical patients. Other chapters will focus in more detail on different aspects of ultrasound use in non-cardiac anaesthesia. ⋯ The use of transcutaneous ultrasound in anaesthesia is mainly interventional: The puncture rate for vascular access e.g. central venous catheterization is higher and the procedure can be performed safer under continuous sonographic guidance. Nerve blockade under direct visualisation of target and accompanying structures has amplified the regional anaesthetic methods. The major nerve blocks are described and discussed.
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Best Pract Res Clin Anaesthesiol · Sep 2009
ReviewGoal-directed fluid management with trans-oesophageal Doppler.
Major surgery is associated with significant trauma and is a potential cause of multiple system organ failure and death. Measurement of cardiac output using a variety of techniques during the perioperative period has enabled practitioners to proactively optimise stroke volume and cardiac output in an attempt to reduce postoperative complications. ⋯ Oesophageal Doppler ultrasonography is a minimally invasive method for measuring stroke volume and cardiac output. It is user-friendly and is one of the few low-invasive technologies to date, which has been used successfully to guide intra-operative fluid administration, resulting in improvement in outcome and significant reduction in duration of hospital stay.
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Point-of-care ultrasound is well suited for use in the emergency setting for assessment of the trauma patient. Currently, portable ultrasound machines with high-resolution imaging capability allow trauma patients to be imaged in the pre-hospital setting, emergency departments and operating theatres. In major trauma, ultrasound is used to diagnose life-threatening conditions and to prioritise and guide appropriate interventions. ⋯ Ultrasound can also be used at the bedside to guide procedures in trauma, including nerve blocks and vascular access. Importantly, these examinations are being performed by the treating physician in real time, allowing for immediate changes to management of the patient. Controversy remains in determining the best training to ensure competence in this user-dependent imaging modality.