Should Cerebral Near-infrared Spectroscopy be Standard of Care in Adult Cardiac Surgery?

Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is non-invasive, easy to use, and offers real-time monitoring of the oxygen content of cerebral tissue. An effective and user-friendly method of cerebral monitoring stands to offer a significant advance in patient care during adult cardiac surgery, particularly for surgery in which the continuity of cerebral vessels may be compromised. While the current evidence does not definitively show improvement in neurological outcomes, it can be argued that the overall risk to benefit ratio falls on the side of NIRS.

Long-term survival after isolated tricuspid valve replacement.

Background: Isolated replacement of the tricuspid valve is rare, and the decision to operate is difficult. This study reviews the in-hospital mortality and long-term survival after tricuspid valve replacement in the absence of concomitant left sided valve surgery. It identifies predictors of poor outcome.