Key Points 1. Cardiac denervation is an unavoidable consequence of heart transplantation, and reinnervation is at best partial and incomplete. 2. Drugs acting directly on the heart are the drugs…
Key Points 1. Although various valvular lesions generate different physiologic changes, all valvular heart disease is characterized by abnormalities of ventricular loading. 2. The left ventricle normally compensates for increases…
Key Points 1. Cardiac tumors are rare. In general, a cardiac mass is more likely a vegetation or a thrombus than a tumor. Secondary (metastatic) tumors are far more common…
Key Points 1. Guideline updates emphasize the efficacy of surgical approaches to myocardial revascularization in patients with multivessel coronary artery disease. 2. Perioperative risk reduction includes careful consideration of all…
Key Points 1. Monitoring the effect of heparin is done using the activated coagulation time (ACT), a functional test of heparin anticoagulation. The ACT is susceptible to prolongation because of…
Key Points 1. Electroencephalography can detect both cerebral ischemia or hypoxia and seizures and can measure hypnotic effect. 2. Middle-latency auditory-evoked potentials objectively document inadequate hypnosis. 3. Somatosensory-evoked potentials may…
Key Points 1. An ultrasound beam is a continuous or intermittent train of sound waves emitted by a transducer or wave generator that is composed of density or pressure. Ultrasound…
Key Points 1. The electrocardiogram reflects differences in transmembrane voltages in myocardial cells that occur during depolarization and repolarization within each cycle. 2. Processing of the electrocardiogram occurs in a…
Key Points 1. Patients with severe cardiovascular disease and those undergoing surgery associated with rapid hemodynamic changes should be adequately monitored at all times. 2. Standard monitoring for cardiac surgery…
Key Points 1. Ischemia during the perioperative period demands immediate attention by the anesthesiologist. 2. Nitroglycerin is indicated in most cases of perioperative myocardial ischemia. Mechanisms of action include coronary…
