Guidelines for enhanced recovery after cardiac surgery. Consensus document of Spanish Societies of Anesthesia (SEDAR), Cardiovascular Surgery (SECCE) and Perfusionists (AEP). / Vía clínica de recuperación intensificada en cirugía cardiaca. Documento de consenso de la Sociedad Española de Anestesiología, Reanimación y Terapéutica del Dolor (SEDAR), la Sociedad Española de Cirugía Cardiovascular y Endovascular (SECCE) y la Asociación Española de Perfusionistas (AEP).

The ERAS guidelines are intended to identify, disseminate and promote the implementation of the best, scientific evidence-based actions to decrease variability in clinical practice. The implementation of these practices in the global clinical process will promote better outcomes and the shortening of hospital and critical care unit stays, thereby resulting in a reduction in costs and in greater efficiency. After completing a systematic review at each of the points of the perioperative process in cardiac surgery, recommendations have been developed based on the best scientific evidence currently available with the consensus of the scientific societies involved.

A comparison of dobutamine and levosimendan on hepatic blood flow in patients with a low cardiac output state after cardiac surgery: a randomised controlled study.

Liver dysfunction due to a low cardiac output state after cardiac surgery is associated with a poor prognosis, but whether one inotrope is superior to another in improving hepatic perfusion remains uncertain. This study compared the systemic and hepatic haemodynamic effects of levosimendan to dobutamine in patients with a low cardiac output state (cardiac index < 2.2 l/min/m2) after on-pump cardiac surgery. A total of 25 patients were randomised to receive either an intravenous bolus of levosimendan (12 µg/kg) over 15 minutes, followed by an infusion of 0.2 µg/kg/min for 24 hours, or an infusion of dobutamine 7.5 µg/kg/min for 24 hours and completed the study. The systemic and hepatic haemodynamics at 24 and 48 hours were all better after levosimendan than dobutamine (dobutamine group: cardiac index (l/min/m2)=2.51 [standard deviation ±0.29], 2.40±0.23; portal vein flow (ml/min): 614.0±124.7, 585.9±144.8; pulsatility index: 2.02±0,28, 2.98±0.27 versus the levosimendan group: cardiac index: 3.02± 0.27, 2.98± 0.30; portal vein flow: 723.0± 143.5, 702.9±117.8; pulsatility index: 1.71±0.26, 1.73±0.27). The improvement in portal vein blood flow at 48 hours was significantly better after levosimendan than dobutamine (41% vs. 11% increment from baseline, P<0.05). In addition, there was a significant reduction in hepatic artery resistance after levosimendan but not dobutamine (resistance index reduction 6.5% vs. 0%, P<0.05). In summary, levosimendan can be considered as a selective liver vasodilator and can improve hepatic blood flow through both the hepatic artery and portal venous system, whereas dobutamine can only improve the portal venous blood flow without vasodilating the hepatic artery.

High thoracic epidural blockade increases myocardial oxygen availability in coronary surgery patients.

BACKGROUND: High thoracic epidural techniques are increasingly being used in patients scheduled for cardiothoracic surgery, including coronary artery bypass grafting. In the present study, we evaluated the acute effects of the epidural blockade on myocardial oxygen availability by means of tissue oxygen pressure monitoring in patients submitted for surgical revascularization. METHODS: Fifty adult patients were included in a prospective, randomized, double-blind study. After placement of an epidural catheter in thoracic space T1-T2, and under general anesthesia, 5-10 ml of either normal saline or 0.3% ropivacaine was injected through the epidural catheter. Hemodynamic parameters and the intramyocardial oxygen partial pressure were recorded before and 20 min after the epidural injection. RESULTS: There were no demographic or hemodynamic differences between the groups before intervention. A significant increase in intramyocardial partial oxygen pressure was observed in the ropivacaine group (14.6 mmHg vs. 25.1 mmHg, P < 0.0005). CONCLUSION: High thoracic epidural blockade with 5-10 ml of 0.3% ropivacaine increases myocardial oxygen availability in coronary diseased patients prior to surgical revascularization without deleterious hemodynamic disturbances.

[Anesthetic management for scheduled peritonectomy and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy in 20 patients]. / Manejo anestésico de 20 pacientes programados para peritonectomía y quimioterapia intraperitoneal caliente.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe our protocol for the anesthetic management for peritonectomy and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy and to report the results from a series of 20 patients. METHODS: The patients were diagnosed with peritoneal carcinomatosis and classified ASA 1-3. A thoracic epidural catheter was inserted for invasive monitoring. We recorded duration of surgery, hemodynamic changes and the use of vasoconstrictors, requirement for intraoperative fluid replacement or blood product transfusion, diuresis, and use of diuretics. RESULTS: Twenty patients were studied. Peritonectomy could not be performed in 3 patients and their data was excluded in order to avoid skewing. The mean (SD) duration of the intervention was 543 (98) minutes. Vasoconstrictors were used in 7 out of 17 patients (41%). Diuretics were used in 10 out of 17 patients (58%). Fluids infused during surgery were a mean of 7.9 (2) L of crystalloid solution and 2.3 (0.6) L of colloid solution. Packed red blood cells were transfused in 9 cases and only 1 patient required fresh frozen plasma. The temperature rose from 1-1.5 degrees C during administration of the hyperthermic chemotherapy and was controlled without complications with the infusion of cold liquids and a heating blanket set at 32-34 degrees C. Extubation inside the operating room was possible in 41% of the cases. Two patients developed postoperative respiratory problems and 1 patient, renal failure. One patient was reoperated for bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: The described anesthetic management protocol allowed the intervention to be carried out without complications other than hypotension, which responded to vasoconstrictor therapy.