Key Points 1. Cardiac anesthesia has fundamentally shifted from a high-dose narcotic technique to a more balanced approach using moderate-dose narcotics, shorter-acting muscle relaxants, and volatile anesthetic agents. 2. This…
Key Points 1. Two predominant methods of blood propulsion are used: positive displacement roller pumps and constrained vortex centrifugal-type pumps. 2. Modern heart-lung machines are equipped with a number of…
Key Points 1. The key to successful weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is proper preparation. 2. After rewarming the patient, correcting any abnormal blood gases, and inflating the lungs, make…
Key Points 1. It is easiest to think of coagulation as a wave of biologic activity occurring at the site of tissue injury, consisting of initiation, acceleration, control, and lysis….
Key Points 1. Cardiac surgical patients are at significant risk from preventable adverse events. These events occur through human error, by either faulty decision making (diagnosis, decision for treatment) or…
Key Points 1. Reoperative cardiac surgery presents greater risk than first-time surgery because patients are usually older, have more comorbidity, and have more advanced cardiovascular disease. Also, resternotomy can be…
Key Points 1. Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) for the failing heart has become a mainstay of the modern management of patients with both acute and chronic heart failure refractory to…
Key Points 1. The incidence of thromboembolic disease is difficult to estimate because of the nonspecific nature of presenting symptoms and a lack of awareness of the disorder. 2. Chronic…
Key Points 1. A hybrid operating room combines advanced imaging capabilities with a fully functioning operating suite. 2. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is recommended for patients with severe symptomatic…
Key Points 1. Because of successes in treating congenital cardiac lesions, there are currently as many or more adults than children with congenital heart disease (CHD). 2. These patients may…
