Atrial pacing thresholds measured in anesthetized patients with the use of an esophageal stethoscope modified for pacing.

Transesophageal atrial pacing (TAP) with the use of standard, thermistor-equipped, esophageal stethoscopes, modified for pacing by incorporation of a 4-French, bipolar TAP probe (pacing esophageal stethoscope [PES]), was evaluated in 100 adult patients under general anesthesia. A commercially available TAP pulse generator supplied 10-ms pulses with current variable between 0 and 40 mA. Pacing distances (in centimeters) were measured from the infraalveolar ridge to midway between PES electrodes (1.

Pulmonary artery occlusion pressure is not accurate immediately after cardiopulmonary bypass.

Elevated pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), differential cardiac dynamics, and increased lung water following cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) have been proposed as limitations to the accuracy of the pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (PAOP) in estimating left ventricular preload. A prospective study of 22 patients undergoing elective myocardial revascularization is described wherein PAOP was compared with directly measured left atrial pressure (LAP). The reliability of PAOP to estimate LAP in the hour immediately following CPB and at 1, 4, 8, and 12 hours post-CPB was examined with repeated measures analysis of variance.

Cardiovascular effects of pancuronium, vecuronium, and atracurium during induction of anesthesia with sufentanil and lorazepam for myocardial revascularization.

The hemodynamic effects of three commonly used muscle relaxants, pancuronium, vecuronium, and atracurium were investigated during induction of anesthesia with sufentanil and lorazepam in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery. Direct hemodynamic variables were recorded, and indirect parameters were calculated using standard formulae. Changes in heart rate differed with the three muscle relaxants.