C-reactive protein levels and atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery in women.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether risk for postoperative atrial fibrillation in women is related to preexisting inflammation as detected by plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations. We further sought to assess the importance of atrial fibrillation for outcome after cardiac surgery in women.

Methods: The CRP was measured before coronary artery bypass grafting and (or) valvular surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass in 141 women.

Cardiopulmonary bypass management and neurologic outcomes: an evidence-based appraisal of current practices.

Neurologic complications after cardiac surgery are of growing importance for an aging surgical population. In this review, we provide a critical appraisal of the impact of current cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) management strategies on neurologic complications. Other than the use of 20-40 microm arterial line filters and membrane oxygenators, newer modifications of the basic CPB apparatus or the use of specialized equipment or procedures (including hypothermia and "tight" glucose control) have unproven benefit on neurologic outcomes.

Atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery: an evidence-based approach to prevention.

A number of advances in surgical and anesthetic techniques have reduced the risk for patients undergoing cardiac surgery. However, postoperative atrial fibrillation remains common, with an incidence ranging between 25% and 40%. It is associated with an increased incidence of congestive heart failure, renal insufficiency, and stroke that prolongs hospitalization and increases rates of readmission after discharge.

Atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery: pathophysiology and treatment.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) occurs in 25% to 60% of patients after cardiac surgery. It is most consistently associated with advanced age and valvular heart operations. Despite improving knowledge of the pathophysiology of chronic AF, postoperative AF remains an obstinate clinical problem.

Vasopressin during spinal anesthesia in a patient with primary pulmonary hypertension treated with intravenous epoprostenol.

Primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) is a progressive disease with frequent morbidity and mortality, including the risk of cardiac decompensation and death, during general anesthesia. Administration of IV epoprostenol (Flolan) improves symptoms and survival of patients with PPH and thus is an increasingly used long-term treatment for this condition. This therapy is associated with impaired platelet aggregation, which may complicate the perioperative management of patients with PPH.