[Environmentally friendly absorption of anesthetic gases : First experiences with a commercial anesthetic gas capture system].

Anesthetic gases are potent greenhouse gases, which are currently released into the atmosphere where they remain for many years. Strategies to reduce the carbon footprint in anesthesiology without compromising patient safety are urgently needed. Since 2020 several departments of anesthesiology have installed anesthetic gas capture systems with which anesthetic gases can be collected.

Postoperative red blood cell transfusion and morbid outcome in uncomplicated cardiac surgery patients.

Objective: To evaluate postoperative red blood cell (RBC) transfusion and its association with postoperative cardiac events and multiorgan morbidity in uncomplicated cardiac surgery patients.

Methods: A cohort of 945 patients from the 5,436 coronary artery bypass grafting patients enrolled in the international Multicenter Study of Perioperative Ischemia (McSPI) Epidemiology II (EPI II) study was investigated. Inclusion criteria were low to moderate risk profile, postoperative hemoglobin level ≥ 10 g/dl, minimal postoperative blood loss, and no evidence of any morbid event on the day of surgery.

The ongoing variability in blood transfusion practices in cardiac surgery.

Background: Although blood utilization has been under considerable scrutiny for the past two decades, particularly for surgery, studies comparing perioperative blood transfusion practices between countries are rare, and the evolution of international standards remains unknown. Therefore, the objective of this evaluation was to compare the perioperative transfusion of blood components in cardiac surgery in multiple centers in different countries.

Study Design And Methods: Transfusion practice was investigated prospectively in 70 centers among 16 countries.

Impact of preoperative anemia on outcome in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Background: The risk of preoperative anemia in patients undergoing heart surgery has not been described precisely. Specifically, the impact of low hemoglobin per se or combined with other risk factors on postoperative outcome is unknown. Thus, we determined the effects of low preoperative hemoglobin and comorbidities on postoperative adverse outcomes in patients with coronary artery bypass graft in a large comprehensive multicenter study.

Coronary artery bypass graft surgery--care globalization: the impact of national care on fatal and nonfatal outcome.

Objective: In an international, prospective, observational study, we contrasted adverse vascular outcomes among four countries and then assessed practice pattern differences that may have contributed to these outcomes.

Methods: A total of 5065 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery were analyzed at 70 international medical centers, and from this pool, 3180 patients from the 4 highest enrolling countries were selected. Fatal and nonfatal postoperative ischemic complications related to the heart, brain, kidney, and gastrointestinal tract were assessed by blinded investigators.

Patient satisfaction and information gain after the preanesthetic visit: a comparison of face-to-face interview, brochure, and video.

In this study we compared 3 methods of conducting the preanesthetic visit. We prospectively studied 197 consecutive surgical patients who were to undergo general anesthesia. The patients were randomized to a routine preanesthetic interview, a brochure plus an interview, or a self-made documentary video plus an interview.

Molecular markers of brain damage--clinical and ethical implications with particular focus on cardiac arrest.

Although 25-50% of patients suffering from cardiac arrest can be stabilised haemodynamically, the hospital discharge rate is only 2-14%. One of the major causes of this discrepancy is persistent brain damage. Studies to assess the prognostic value of early prediction of neurologic and overall outcome in patients with cardiac arrest have not yet produced precise and generally accepted diagnostic rules.