Development and Publication of Clinical Practice Parameters, Reviews, and Meta-analyses: A Report From the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists Presidential Task Force.

The Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists (SCA) is committed to improving the quality, safety, and value that cardiothoracic anesthesiologists bring to patient care. To fulfill this mission, the SCA supports the creation of peer-reviewed manuscripts that establish standards, produce guidelines, critically analyze the literature, interpret preexisting guidelines, and allow experts to engage in consensus opinion. The aim of this report, commissioned by the SCA President, is to summarize the distinctions among these publications and describe a novel SCA-supported framework that provides guidance to SCA members for the creation of these publications. The ultimate goal is that through a standardized and transparent process, the SCA will facilitate up-to-date education and implementation of best practices by cardiovascular and thoracic anesthesiologists to improve patient safety, quality of care, and outcomes.

The Relationship Between Transfusion in Cardiac Surgery Patients and Adverse Outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: To understand if red blood cell (RBC) transfusions are independently associated with a risk of mortality, prolonged intubation, or infectious, cardiac, or renal morbid outcomes. DESIGN: A retrospective review. SETTING: A single-institution university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 2,458 patients undergoing coronary bypass artery graft and/or valvular surgery from July 2014 through January 2018. INTERVENTIONS: No interventions were done. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The primary outcome was the occurrence of an adverse event or prolonged intubation. Infectious, cardiac, and renal composite outcomes were also defined. These composites, along with mortality, were analyzed individually and then combined to form the "any adverse events" composite. Preoperative demographic and intraoperative parameters were analyzed as univariate risk factors for adverse outcomes. Logistic regression was used to screen variables, with a p value criterion of p < 0.05 for entry into the model selection procedure. A backward selection algorithm was used with variable entry and retention criteria of p < 0.05 to select the final multivariate model. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to determine whether there was an association between the volume of RBC transfusion and the defined adverse event after adjusting for covariates. A p value < 0.01 was considered statistically significant in the final model of each aim to adjust for multiple comparisons. The final logistic models for each of the following outcomes indicate an increased risk of that outcome per each additional unit of RBC transfused. For prolonged intubation, the odds ratio (OR) was 1.493 (p < 0.0001), OR = 1.358 (p < 0.0001) for infectious composite outcomes, OR = 1.247 (p < 0.0001) for adverse renal outcomes, and OR = 1.467 (p < 0.0001) for any adverse event. CONCLUSIONS: The authors demonstrated a strong independent association between RBC transfusion volume and adverse outcomes after cardiac surgery. Efforts should be undertaken, such as preoperative anemia management and control of coagulopathy, in order to minimize the need for RBC transfusion.

Impact of Limited Enhanced Recovery Pathway for Cardiac Surgery: A Single-Institution Experience.

OBJECTIVES: Enhanced recovery pathway (ERP) refers to extensive multidisciplinary, evidence-based pathways used to facilitate recovery after surgery. The authors assessed the impact that limited ERP protocols had on outcomes in patients undergoing cardiac surgery at their institution. DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study. SETTING: This study was a single-institution study conducted at a university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Patients undergoing open adult cardiac surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Enhanced recovery pathways limited to preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative management of pain, atrial fibrillation prevention, and nutrition optimization were implemented. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 1,058 patients were included in this study. There were 374 patients in each pre- and post-ERP cohort after propensity matching, with no significant baseline differences between the 2 cohorts. Compared to the matched patients in the pre-ERP group, patients in the post-ERP group had decreased total ventilation hours (6.8 v 7.8, p = 0.006), less use of postoperative opioid analgesics as determined by total morphine milligram equivalent (32.5 v 47.5, p < 0.001), and a decreased rate of postoperative atrial fibrillation (23.3% v 30.5%, p = 0.032). Post-ERP patients also experienced less subjective pain and postoperative nausea and drowsiness as compared to their matched pre-ERP cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: Limited ERP implementation resulted in significantly improved perioperative outcomes. Patients additionally experienced less postoperative pain despite decreased opioid use. Implementation of ERP, even in a limited format, is a promising approach to improving outcomes in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Evidence-Based Practices in the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association.

Cardiac catheterization procedures have rapidly evolved and expanded in scope and techniques over the past few decades. However, although some practices have emerged based on evidence, many traditions have persisted based on beliefs and theoretical concerns. The aim of this review is to highlight common preprocedure, intraprocedure, and postprocedure catheterization laboratory practices where evidence has accumulated over the past few decades to support or discount traditionally held practices.

Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists Clinical Practice Update for Management of Acute Kidney Injury Associated With Cardiac Surgery.

Cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury (CS-AKI) is common and is associated with increased risk for postoperative morbidity and mortality. Our recent survey of the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists (SCA) membership showed 6 potentially renoprotective strategies for which clinicians would most value an evidence-based review (ie, intraoperative target blood pressure, choice of specific vasopressor agent, erythrocyte transfusion threshold, use of alpha-2 agonists, goal-directed oxygen delivery on cardiopulmonary bypass [CPB], and the "Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes [KDIGO] bundle of care"). Thus, the SCA's Continuing Practice Improvement Acute Kidney Injury Working Group aimed to provide a practice update for each of these strategies in cardiac surgical patients based on the evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs). PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane library databases were comprehensively searched for eligible studies from inception through February 2021, with search results updated in August 2021. A total of 15 RCTs investigating the effects of the above-mentioned strategies on CS-AKI were included for meta-analysis. For each strategy, the level of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology. Across the 6 potentially renoprotective strategies evaluated, current evidence for their use was rated as "moderate," "low," or "very low." Based on eligible RCTs, our analysis suggested using goal-directed oxygen delivery on CPB and the "KDIGO bundle of care" in high-risk patients to prevent CS-AKI (moderate level of GRADE evidence). Our results suggested considering the use of vasopressin in vasoplegic shock patients to reduce CS-AKI (low level of GRADE evidence). The decision to use a restrictive versus liberal strategy for perioperative red cell transfusion should not be based on concerns for renal protection (a moderate level of GRADE evidence). In addition, targeting a higher mean arterial pressure during CPB, perioperative use of dopamine, and use of dexmedetomidine did not reduce CS-AKI (a low or very low level of GRADE evidence). This review will help clinicians provide evidence-based care, targeting improved renal outcomes in adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Preoperative Antithrombin Supplementation in Patients at Risk for Antithrombin Deficiency After Cardiac Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Antithrombin (AT) activity is reduced during cardiac operations with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), which is associated with adverse outcomes. Preoperative AT supplementation, to achieve >58% and <100% AT activity, may potentially reduce postoperative morbidity and mortality in cardiac operations with CPB. This prospective, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of preoperative treatment with AT supplementation in patients at risk for low AT activity after undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB. METHODS: A total of 425 adult patients were randomized (1:1) to receive either a single dose of AT (n = 213) to achieve an absolute increase of 20% above pretreatment AT activity or placebo (n = 212) before surgery. The study duration was approximately 7 weeks. The primary efficacy end point was the percentage of patients with any component of a major morbidity composite (postoperative mortality, stroke, acute kidney injury [AKI], surgical reexploration, arterial or venous thromboembolic events, prolonged mechanical ventilation, and infection) in the 2 groups. Secondary end points included AT activity, blood loss, transfusion requirements, duration of intensive care unit (ICU), and hospital stays. Safety was also assessed. RESULTS: Overall, 399 patients (men, n = 300, 75.2%) with a mean (standard deviation [SD]) age of 66.1 (11.7) years, with the majority undergoing complex surgical procedures (n = 266, 67.9%), were analyzed. No differences in the percentage of patients experiencing morbidity composite outcomes between groups were observed (AT-treated 68/198 [34.3%] versus placebo 58/194 [29.9%]; P = .332; relative risk, 1.15). After AT infusion, AT activity was significantly higher in the AT group (108% [42-143]) versus placebo group (76% [40-110]), and lasted up to postoperative day 2. At ICU, the frequency of patients with AT activity ≥58% in the AT group (81.5%) was significantly higher ( P < .001) versus placebo group (43.2%). Secondary end point analysis did not show any advantage of AT over placebo group. There were significantly more patients with AKI ( P < .001) in the AT group (23/198; 11.6%) than in the placebo group (5/194, 2.6%). Safety results showed no differences in treatment-emergent adverse events nor bleeding events between groups. CONCLUSIONS: AT supplementation did not attenuate adverse postoperative outcomes in our cohort of patients undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB.

The Value of Thromboelastography (TEG) in COVID-19 Critical Illness as Illustrated by a Case Series.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a practical thromboelastograph guided (TEG) anticoagulation protocol to guide the management of COVID-19 critically ill patients. DESIGN: An inter disciplinary team reviewed the current literature on hypercoagulability in critically ill COVID-19 patients, clinical management practices and challenges with high rates of thrombotic events despite anticoagulant therapies. SETTING: The largest tertiary care hospital within the Northwell Health System in New York. PATIENTS: COVID-19 invasively mechanically ventilated patients in Medical Intensive Care Unit Settings. METHODS: TEG was monitored in critically ill COVID-19 patients. Patterns were reviewed to guide the development of a treatment protocol leveraging TEG parameters to select anticoagulant therapy. Three patients are reported to highlight TEG profiles that led to the development of the algorithm. Clinical trajectory and treatment decisions were extracted retrospectively from the Electronic Health Record, with input from the intensivists. Anticoagulant use, laboratory and TEG values, and venous/arterial lower extremity (LE) ultrasound results were recorded. MAIN RESULTS: These patients demonstrated hypercoagulable TEG results despite prophylactic or therapeutic dosages of unfractionated heparin or low-molecular-weight heparin (LMHW). TEG surveillance identified functional fibrinogen and maximum amplitude in high-risk patients with hyper inflammatory markers. Anticoagulation assessment, TEG parameters, and LE ultrasound monitoring for venous and arterial thrombus were used to construct an algorithm to guide and escalate anticoagulant therapy. CONCLUSIONS: TEG provides patient-specific evidence for a hypercoagulable state in patients receiving all types of anticoagulant therapy. The proposed TEG algorithm guides anticoagulation management decisions to maintain or escalate anticoagulant dose and/or change choice of anticoagulant. A TEG algorithm may help negotiate the potential harm/benefit balance of full-dose anticoagulation in critically ill COVID-19 patients, by allowing for a more individualized approach that goes beyond the review of activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) levels.

Gender of Abstract Presenters at the Annual Meetings of the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists and American Society of Anesthesiologists: 2016 to 2020.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess gender in abstract poster presentations at the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists (SCA) and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Annual Meetings from 2016 through 2020 to determine possible gender disparities in anesthesia overall as compared to cardiothoracic anesthesia. DESIGN: A bibliometric study SETTING: Publicly available data from the SCA and ASA websites. PARTICIPANTS: Presenting and senior authors of abstracts at the SCA and ASA Annual Meetings. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Abstract data on presenting and senior authors were collected for the years 2016 through 2020 for both annual meetings. Observed gender of abstract authors was compared to expected gender based on the gender distribution of cardiac anesthesiologists for the SCA or of all anesthesiologists for the ASA. From 2016 to 2020, the proportion of women senior authors on abstracts was significantly underrepresented (2016-2019, p < 0.05). At the SCA meetings, there was no significant difference in the observed versus expected proportion of women presenting and senior authors. The percentage of woman physicians' abstract-presenting authors at the ASA was overrepresented compared to the expected proportion for each year (2016-2020, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: At the SCA, women were appropriately represented as both presenting and senior abstract authors. At the ASA, there was significant overrepresentation of women as presenting authors and underrepresentation of women as senior authors. These results suggested that abstract presentation is not a barrier to academic advancement.

Diagnostic Point-of-Care Ultrasound: Recommendations From an Expert Panel.

Diagnostic point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS) has emerged as a powerful tool to help anesthesiologists guide patient care in both the perioperative setting and the subspecialty arenas. Although anesthesiologists can turn to guideline statements pertaining to other aspects of ultrasound use, to date there remains little in the way of published guidance regarding diagnostic PoCUS. To this end, in 2018, the American Society of Anesthesiologists chartered an ad hoc committee consisting of 23 American Society of Anesthesiologists members to provide recommendations on this topic. The ad hoc committee convened and developed a committee work product. This work product was updated in 2021 by an expert panel of the ad hoc committee to produce the document presented herein. The document, which represents the consensus opinion of a group of practicing anesthesiologists with established expertise in diagnostic ultrasound, addresses the following issues: (1) affirms the practice of diagnostic PoCUS by adequately trained anesthesiologists, (2) identifies the scope of practice of diagnostic PoCUS relevant to anesthesiologists, (3) suggests the minimum level of training needed to achieve competence, (4) provides recommendations for how diagnostic PoCUS can be used safely and ethically, and (5) provides broad guidance about diagnostic ultrasound billing.

Blood Substitutes and Oxygen Therapeutics: A Review.

Despite the exhaustive search for an acceptable substitute to erythrocyte transfusion, neither chemical-based products such as perfluorocarbons nor hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers have succeeded in providing a reasonable alternative to allogeneic blood transfusion. However, there remain scenarios in which blood transfusion is not an option, due to patient's religious beliefs, inability to find adequately cross-matched erythrocytes, or in remote locations. In these situations, artificial oxygen carriers may provide a mortality benefit for patients with severe, life-threatening anemia. This article provides an up-to-date review of the history and development, clinical trials, new technology, and current standing of artificial oxygen carriers as an alternative to transfusion when blood is not an option.

Blood Conservation and Hemostasis in Cardiac Surgery: A Survey of Practice Variation and Adoption of Evidence-Based Guidelines.

BACKGROUND: Blood conservation and hemostasis are integral parts of reducing avoidable blood transfusions and the associated morbidity and mortality. Despite the publication of blood conservation guidelines for cardiac surgery, evidence suggests persistent variability in practice patterns. Members of the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists (SCA) created a survey to audit conformance to existing guidelines and use the results to help narrow the evidence-to-practice gap. METHODS: Members of the SCA and its Continuous Practice Improvement (CPI)- Blood Conservation Work Group developed a 48-item Blood Conservation and Hemostasis in Cardiac Surgery (BCHCS) survey. The questionnaire included the components of the Anesthesia Quality Institute's (AQI) composite measure AQI49. The survey was distributed to the entire SCA membership by e-mail via the Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) Consortium between the fall of 2017 and early 2018. RESULTS: Of 3152 SCA members, 536 returned surveys for a response rate of 17%. Most responders worked at academic institutions. The median transfusion trigger after cardiopulmonary bypass was hemoglobin (Hgb) 7.0 to 8.0 g/dL. There are 4 components to AQI49, and the composite conformance to all of them was low due to 1 specific component: the use of transfusion algorithms supplemented with point-of-care (POC) testing. There was good conformance to the other 3 components of AQI49: use of antifibrinolytics, minimization of hemodilution and use of red cell salvage. Overall, practices with a multidisciplinary patient blood management (PBM) team were the most successful in meeting all 4 AQI49 criteria. CONCLUSIONS: The survey demonstrated widespread adoption of several best practices, including the tolerance of lower hemoglobin transfusion triggers, use of antifibrinolytics, minimization of hemodilution, and use of red cell salvage. The survey also confirms that gaps remain in preoperative anemia management and the use of transfusion algorithms supplemented with POC hemostasis testing. Serial use of this survey can be used to identify barriers to implementation and audit the effectiveness of interventions described in this article. This instrument could also help harmonize local, regional, and national efforts and become an essential component of an implementation strategy for PBM in cardiac surgery.

Electrophysiology Practice During COVID-19 Pandemic: A New York Tertiary Hospital Experience.

As hospitals became overwhelmed during the Covid-19 pandemic in March-May in New York, Cardiology and Electrophysiology (EP) departments rapidly developed protocols for case selection as well modifying the practice of managing the cases. Recommendations by the AHA/HRS as well as American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) were considered in the multidisciplinary collaborative approach to patient care and personnel safety and the anesthesiology team had an integral role in developing protocols for workflow, care, recovery and transport during these challenging times.

Potential Renoprotective Strategies in Adult Cardiac Surgery: A Survey of Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists Members to Explore the Rationale and Beliefs Driving Current Clinical Decision-Making.

OBJECTIVES: The authors sought to (1) characterize the rationale underpinning anesthesiologists' use of various perioperative strategies hypothesized to affect renal function in adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery, (2) characterize existing belief about the quality of evidence addressing the renal impact of these strategies, and (3) identify potentially renoprotective strategies for which anesthesiologists would most value a detailed, evidence-based review. DESIGN: Survey of perioperative practice in adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery. SETTING: Online survey. PARTICIPANTS: Members of the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists (SCA). INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS & MAIN RESULTS: The survey was distributed to more than 2,000 SCA members and completed in whole or in part by 202 respondents. Selection of target intraoperative blood pressure (and relative hypotension avoidance) was the strategy most frequently reported to reflect belief about its potential renal effect (79%; 95% CI: 72-85). Most respondents believed the evidence supporting an effect on renal injury of intraoperative target blood pressure during cardiac surgery was of high or moderate quality. Other factors, including a specific nonrenal rationale, surgeon preference, department- or institution-level decisions, tradition, or habit, also frequently were reported to affect decision making across queried strategies. Potential renoprotective strategies most frequently requested for inclusion in a subsequent detailed, evidence-based review were intraoperative target blood pressure and choice of vasopressor agent to achieve target pressure. CONCLUSIONS: A large number of perioperative strategies are believed to variably affect renal injury in adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery, with wide variation in perceived quality of evidence for a renal effect of these strategies.

Perioperative Anemia: Prevention, Diagnosis, and Management Throughout the Spectrum of Perioperative Care.

Anemia is common in the perioperative period and is associated with poor patient outcomes. Remarkably, anemia is frequently ignored until hemoglobin levels drop low enough to warrant a red blood cell transfusion. This simplified transfusion-based approach has unfortunately shifted clinical focus away from strategies to adequately prevent, diagnose, and treat anemia through direct management of the underlying cause(s). While recommendations have been published for the treatment of anemia before elective surgery, information regarding the design and implementation of evidence-based anemia management strategies is sparse. Moreover, anemia is not solely a concern of the preoperative encounter. Rather, anemia must be actively addressed throughout the perioperative spectrum of patient care. This article provides practical information regarding the implementation of anemia management strategies in surgical patients throughout the perioperative period. This includes evidence-based recommendations for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of anemia, including the utility of iron supplementation and erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs).

Use of Pulmonary Artery Pulsatility Index in Cardiac Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated whether the pulmonary artery pulsatility index (PAPi) collected before and after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is predictive and diagnostic of new onset right ventricular (RV) failure in the elective cardiac surgical population. DESIGN: This was a prospective observational study of patients who underwent cardiac surgery between 2017 and 2019. SETTING: Weill Cornell Medicine, a single large academic medical center. PARTICIPANTS: The study comprised 119 patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Cardiopulmonary bypass, transesophageal echocardiography, pulmonary artery catheter, and elective cardiac surgery. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Echocardiographic and hemodynamic data were collected at 2 time points: pre-CPB and post-chest closure/post-CPB. Patients with and without post-CPB RV dysfunction fractional area of change (<35%) were compared, and receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed. One hundred and nineteen patients undergoing elective surgery-coronary artery bypass grafting (23%), aortic valve replacement (21%), aortic surgery (19%), and combined surgery (37%)-were evaluated. Post-CPB RV dysfunction was associated with lower pre-CPB PAPi values (2.0 ± 1.0 v 2.5 ± 1.2; p = 0.001 and p = 0.03) and higher pre-CPB central venous pressure (8.3 ± 3.6 and 6.9 ± 2.7; p = 0.003 and p = 0.02, respectively). Pre-CPB PAPi (0.98 [95% confidence interval {CI} 0.96-0.99]), end systolic area (0.99 [95% CI 0.98-0.99]), and end diastolic area (1.01 [95% CI 1.001-1.02]) were independently associated with RV dysfunction in multivariable modeling, with a lower PAPi and end systolic area and higher end diastolic area demonstrating a greater risk of RV dysfunction post-CPB (post-CPB area under the curve for PAPi 0.80 [95% CI 0.71-0.88; sensitivity = 0.68, specificity = 0.93, optimal cutoff = 1.9]). CONCLUSIONS: PAPi measured pre-CPB is a potential predictor and marker of post-CPB RV dysfunction and may have diagnostic utility in cardiac surgery. Additional, large-scale studies are needed to confirm this finding.

Anticoagulation Management and Heparin Resistance During Cardiopulmonary Bypass: A Survey of Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists Members.

We surveyed Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists members regarding anticoagulation practices for cardiopulmonary bypass and attitudes on heparin resistance. Of 550 respondents (18.5% response rate), 74.9% (95% CI, 71.3%-78.5%) used empiric weight-based dosing of heparin, and 70.7% (95% CI, 66.9%-74.5%) targeted an activated clotting time of either 400 or 480 seconds to initiate cardiopulmonary bypass. Of note, 17.1% (95% CI, 13.9%-20.2%) of respondents reported activated clotting time targets lower than those recommended by recent 2018 Society of Thoracic Surgeons/Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists/American Society of Extracorporeal Technology guidelines or failed to monitor heparin effects at all. When heparin resistance was encountered, 54.2% of respondents (95% CI, 50.0%-58.4%) administered antithrombin concentrates as a first-line therapy.

Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists Clinical Practice Improvement Advisory for Management of Perioperative Bleeding and Hemostasis in Cardiac Surgery Patients.

Bleeding after cardiac surgery is a common and serious complication leading to transfusion of multiple blood products and resulting in increased morbidity and mortality. Despite the publication of numerous guidelines and consensus statements for patient blood management in cardiac surgery, research has revealed that adherence to these guidelines is poor, and as a result, a significant variability in patient transfusion practices among practitioners still remains. In addition, although utilization of point-of-care (POC) coagulation monitors and the use of novel therapeutic strategies for perioperative hemostasis, such as the use of coagulation factor concentrates, have increased significantly over the last decade, they are still not widely available in every institution. Therefore, despite continuous efforts, blood transfusion in cardiac surgery has only modestly declined over the last decade, remaining at ≥50% in high-risk patients. Given these limitations, and in response to new regulatory and legislature requirements, the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists (SCA) has formed the Blood Conservation in Cardiac Surgery Working Group to organize, summarize, and disseminate the available best-practice knowledge in patient blood management in cardiac surgery. The current publication includes the summary statements and algorithms designed by the working group, after collection and review of the existing guidelines, consensus statements, and recommendations for patient blood management practices in cardiac surgery patients. The overall goal is creating a dynamic resource of easily accessible educational material that will help to increase and improve compliance with the existing evidence-based best practices of patient blood management by cardiac surgery care teams.

Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists Clinical Practice Improvement Advisory for Management of Perioperative Bleeding and Hemostasis in Cardiac Surgery Patients.

Bleeding after cardiac surgery is a common and serious complication leading to transfusion of multiple blood products and resulting in increased morbidity and mortality. Despite the publication of numerous guidelines and consensus statements for patient blood management in cardiac surgery, research has revealed that adherence to these guidelines is poor, and as a result, a significant variability in patient transfusion practices among practitioners still remains. In addition, although utilization of point of care coagulation monitors and the use of novel therapeutic strategies for perioperative hemostasis, such as the use of coagulation factor concentrates, has increased significantly over the last decade, they are still not widely available in every institution. Therefore, despite continuous efforts, blood transfusion in cardiac surgery has declined only modestly over the last decade, remaining at 50% or greater in high-risk patients. Given these limitations and in response to new regulatory and legislature requirements, the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists has formed the Blood Conservation in Cardiac Surgery Working Group in order to organize, summarize, and disseminate the available best-practice knowledge in patient blood management in cardiac surgery. The current publication includes the summary statements and algorithms designed by the working group, after collection and review of the existing guidelines, consensus statements, and recommendations for patient blood management practices in cardiac surgery patients. The overall goal is creating a dynamic resource of easily accessible educational material that will help to increase and improve compliance with the existing evidence-based best practices of patient blood management by cardiac surgery care teams.

Perioperative safety in coronary artery bypass grafting: the role of the anesthesiologist.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: As our population ages and cardiovascular disease increases in prevalence, a growing number of patients will be candidates for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Outcomes from this common surgery can be improved by a coordinated team approach involving physicians, nurses, and healthcare professionals from multiple specialties. This review will discuss the role cardiovascular anesthesiologists play in the perioperative care of these complex patients. RECENT FINDINGS: Cardiovascular anesthesiologists may play a variety of important roles throughout the entire perioperative period of patients undergoing CABG. This may include identification and optimization of preoperative comorbidities, employment of enhanced recovery pathways, perioperative echocardiographic assessment of complex cardiovascular states, management of patients on cardiopulmonary bypass, and others. There is growing evidence that each of these areas contributes to better care and improved outcomes. SUMMARY: Care of the patient undergoing CABG requires a team approach. Optimal team dynamics translate into better care for patients and improved outcomes. The cardiovascular anesthesiologist is an integral member of this team whose role is central in the coordination of all aspects of perioperative care. Preoperative optimization begins the process, which continues throughout surgery, cardiopulmonary bypass, and into the postoperative period.

The Evolving Dilemma of Factor XI in Pregnancy: Suggestions for Management.

A case of a patient with severe factor XI (FXI) deficiency who presented for her seventh labor and delivery is presented. The nature of FXI deficiency, its prevalence, and issues related to genetic screening are discussed. Published literature on the topic is reviewed, including criteria that were developed to assess bleeding, laboratory tools used to estimate bleeding risk, and available treatments. Within the context of this challenging clinical dilemma, specific recommendations are provided for the antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum stages of pregnancy. These include recommendations that take into account both FXI levels and history of any abnormal bleeding. While there are effective treatments available, it is important to consider that institutional multidisciplinary protocols are needed to manage this complex disorder. More work is needed to define the best management protocols.