Determinants of Transcutaneous Ear Lobe CO2 Tension (PtCO2) at 37°C During On-Pump Cardiac Surgery.

Objective: There are no available criteria for determining the optimal flow rate and mean arterial pressure level in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Transcutaneous carbon dioxide tension (PtCO2) has been proposed for microcirculation monitoring and it could be useful for guiding hemodynamic optimization under CPB. The goal of this exploratory study was to determine the factors that influence PtCO2 variations during CPB.

Improving ultrasonic measurement of diaphragmatic excursion after cardiac surgery using the anatomical M-mode: a randomized crossover study.

Purpose: Motion-mode (MM) echography allows precise measurement of diaphragmatic excursion when the ultrasound beam is parallel to the diaphragmatic displacement. However, proper alignment is difficult to obtain in patients after cardiac surgery; thus, measurements might be inaccurate. A new imaging modality named the anatomical motion-mode (AMM) allows free placement of the cursor through the numerical image reconstruction and perfect alignment with the diaphragmatic motion.

Incidence, risk factors and prediction of post-operative acute kidney injury following cardiac surgery for active infective endocarditis: an observational study.

Introduction: Cardiac surgery is frequently needed in patients with infective endocarditis (IE). Acute kidney injury (AKI) often complicates IE and is associated with poor outcomes. The purpose of the study was to determine the risk factors for post-operative AKI in patients operated on for IE.

Low social support is associated with an increased risk of postoperative delirium.

Study Objective: To examine the predictive value of social support in postoperative delirium.

Design: Prospective observational study.

Setting: Postoperative recovery room and orthopedic surgery department.

Effects of laparoscopic pneumoperitoneum and changes in position on arterial pulse pressure wave-form: comparison between morbidly obese and normal-weight patients.

Background: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is commonly indicated in morbidly obese patients. There is controversy regarding the hemodynamic effects of pneumoperitoneum (PNP) in obese patients. PNP and changes in body posture have complex effects on venous return that may be detected by respiratory changes in the arterial pressure waveform.

Effects of inhaled nitric oxide administration on early postoperative mortality in patients operated for correction of atrioventricular canal defects.

Objective: Postoperative pulmonary hypertension (POPH) substantially increases mortality after repair of congenital heart diseases. Inhaled nitric oxide (NO) has been reported as an effective and specific means of controlling POPH crisis. No randomized, placebo-controlled study has addressed the ability of NO administration to reduce mortality.

Airway management using the intubating laryngeal mask airway for the morbidly obese patient.

Unlabelled: We studied the effectiveness of the intubating laryngeal mask airway (ILMA) in morbidly obese patients scheduled for bariatric surgery. We included 118 consecutive morbidly obese patients (body mass index, 45 +/- 5 kg/m(2)). After the induction of general anesthesia, the laryngeal view was classified by the first observer according to the method of Cormack and Lehane.

The clinical relevance of systolic pressure variations in anesthetized nonhypotensive patients.

Objective: To assess the accuracy of respiratory-induced systolic pressure variation and its components to detect low left ventricular preload.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: University hospital.

Laparoscopic gastric banding: a minimally invasive surgical treatment for morbid obesity: prospective study of 500 consecutive patients.

Objective: To evaluate early and late morbidity of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding for morbid obesity and to assess the efficacy of this procedure by analyzing its results.

Summary Background Data: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding is considered the least invasive surgical option for morbid obesity. It is effective, with an average loss of 50% of excessive weight after 2 years of follow-up.

Robotic-assisted cardiac surgery: anesthetic and postoperative considerations.

Objective: To assess the feasibility of endoscopic telemanipulated cardiac surgery and describe the anesthetic, postoperative, and surgical implications of minimally invasive robotic-assisted cardiac surgery.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: Cardiovascular and transplant center, university hospital.

Prediction of arterial oxygen tension during one-lung ventilation: analysis of preoperative and intraoperative variables.

Objective: To determine whether currently available preoperative and intraoperative variables related to arterial oxygen tension (PaO(2)) can be used as predictors for low PaO(2) during one-lung ventilation (OLV).

Design: A prospective cohort study.

Setting: Primary university hospital.