Acute Effects of Pacing at Different Ventricular Sites on Left Ventricular Rotational Mechanics in a Porcine Model.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the acute effects of pacing at different ventricular sites on hemodynamics and left ventricular (LV) rotational mechanics using speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) in a porcine model.

Design: A prospective laboratory investigation.

Setting: University research laboratory.

Anesthetic considerations for thoracoscopic sympathetic ganglionectomy to treat ventricular tachycardia storm: a single-center experience.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the pertinent anesthetic considerations for patients undergoing surgical sympathectomy for electrical storm (incessant ventricular tachycardia (VT) refractory to traditional therapies).

Design: This is a retrospective review of a prospective database.

Setting: This single-center study took place in a university hospital setting.

Anesthetic management of the patient with low ejection fraction.

The number of patients with heart failure presenting for surgery continues to rise, and anesthesiologists are increasingly being called upon to provide quality, safe care in the operating room for patients with low ejection fraction (EF). Perioperative goals in the management of these patients include maintaining forward flow, promoting inotropy without inducing or exacerbating ischemia, and returning patients to their preoperative level of function after surgery. Oftentimes, these goals can be met with pharmacologic support, including the use of calcium channel blockers, phosphodiesterase inhibitors, and novel agents, such as nesiritide and levosimendan.

Transthoracic echocardiography simulation is an efficient method to train anesthesiologists in basic transthoracic echocardiography skills.

Background: The clinical utility of focused transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is increasingly recognized in perioperative medicine. However its use is limited among anesthesiologists because of a lack of training. The most efficient training methods have not been determined.