Publications by authors named "Humara Poonawala"

Objective(s): This study was designed to compare 2 different perioperative analgesia strategies with respect to the incidence of postoperative delirium after a transapical approach for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). The authors hypothesized that perioperative thoracic paravertebral analgesia with a local anesthetic would decrease opioid consumption and in turn reduce the incidence of postoperative delirium when compared with systemic opioid-based analgesia after a transapical TAVR procedure.

Design: Prospective, randomized controlled clinical trial.

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Introduction: Coagulopathy leading to excessive blood loss is a serious complication of cardiac surgery. In this prospective cohort study, we measured patients' coagulation status before and after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and examined their relationships with postoperative blood loss.

Methods: Patients undergoing complex cardiac surgery with CPB who did not have preexisting coagulopathy were eligible.

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Objective: When used to prevent perioperative inflammation and ischemia-reperfusion injury, N-acetylcysteine may inadvertently impair hemostasis. We, therefore, performed a post hoc analysis of a recent randomized controlled trial in cardiac surgery to determine whether N-acetylcysteine was associated with increased blood loss and blood product transfusion.

Design: Blinded (patients, caregivers, outcome assessors) placebo-controlled parallel group randomized trial (www.

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Background: This observational study explored the potential utility of oxygen extraction ratio (O2ER) as an adjunct to the hemoglobin (Hb) concentration for guiding red blood cell (RBC) transfusion decisions after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

Study Design And Methods: Hb and O2ER measures were obtained before as well as 15 and 120 minutes after RBC transfusion episodes (defined as 1-2 RBC units given in succession after CPB, within 24 hr. of surgery).

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Background: In anticipation of future studies, we examined the pharmacokinetics profile of erythropoietin (EPO) in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Methods: Cardiac surgical patients were enrolled into one of six groups: four cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) groups [placebo (n = 6), 250 IU/kg EPO (n = 3), 500 IU/kg EPO (n = 3), and 500 IU/kg EPO, two doses (n = 6)] and two off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) groups [placebo (n = 3) and 500 IU/kg EPO (n = 3)]. The EPO was administered prior to anesthesia and 10 min after CPB (if required).

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Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine if there is an association between the proximal thoracic aortic (ascending aorta and aortic arch) atheroma and ischemic brain lesions on diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) after on-pump (ONCAB) and off-pump (OPCAB) coronary artery bypass surgery.

Methods: Patients who underwent ONCAB surgery (n = 13) and who had aortic atheroma > 2 mm were compared to a risk-adjusted prospective cohort of patients (n = 13) undergoing OPCAB surgery. Transesophageal echocardiography and epiaortic scanning were performed to assess the proximal thoracic aorta.

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Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) quantitative data requirements for modifying patient management during and after elective coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.

Design: A prospective observational clinical trial.

Setting: University tertiary referral center.

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Objective: To determine whether the application of acupressure bands would lead to a reduction in postoperative nausea and vomiting after cardiac surgery.

Design: Prospective, randomized, double-blind clinical trial.

Setting: University-affiliated tertiary care teaching hospital.

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