Incorporation of the Transverse Thoracic Plane Block Into a Multimodal Early Extubation Protocol for Cardiac Surgical Patients.

Background: The aim for early extubation remains an important goal in cardiac surgical patients. Therefore, employment of a multimodal approach to pain management that includes a transverse thoracic plane block was retrospectively examined at a single-center tertiary care hospital on the effects of time to extubation, opioid consumption, and length of stay in patients undergoing cardiac surgery via median sternotomy.

Methods: Blocks were performed on all cardiac surgical patients except for those undergoing left ventricular assist device placement, thoracic transplant, emergent surgery, or redo sternotomy.

Improved Cost-Effectiveness and Blood Product Utilization From Instituting a Blood Ordering Algorithm for Cardiac Surgical Cases.

Background: Results of a previous study revealed an over-ordering of blood products for cardiac surgery and led to the creation of a new blood ordering algorithm. This follow-up study has been conducted to evaluate improvement in ordering practices.

Methods: Retrospective data were collected for 171 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting or valve surgery from March 2015 to March 2016 to determine the crossmatch-to-transfusion ratio (C:tx) and potential cost savings.