A multidisciplinary comparison of transfusion and perioperative support for high-risk cardiac surgery at three large academic centres in North America.

Cardiac surgery is associated with numerous peri- and post-operative haemostatic complications and blood transfusion requirements. Complex procedures such as redo-sternotomy heart transplantation or type A aortic dissection repairs are at high-risk for severe coagulopathy and significant transfusion requirements. However, current practice guidelines do not specifically address high-risk surgeries, resulting in variable practice.

Dexmedetomidine Use in Intensive Care Unit Sedation and Postoperative Recovery in Elderly Patients Post-Cardiac Surgery (DIRECT).

Objective: This study examined recovery, delirium, and neurocognitive outcome in elderly patients receiving dexmedetomidine or propofol sedation after undergoing cardiac surgery.

Design: Open-label randomized trial.

Setting: Single center.