Advanced cardiovascular life support algorithm for the management of the hospitalized unresponsive patient on continuous flow left ventricular assist device support outside the intensive care unit.

Over the past decade, continuous flow left ventricular assist devices (CF-LVADs) have become the mainstay of therapy for end stage heart failure. While the number of patients on support is exponentially growing, at present there are no American Heart Association or European Society of Cardiology Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support guidelines for the management of this unique patient population. We propose an algorithm for the hospitalized unresponsive CF-LVAD patient outside of the intensive care unit setting.

Intraoperative cardiac arrests in adults undergoing noncardiac surgery: incidence, risk factors, and survival outcome.

Background: Intraoperative cardiac arrest (ICA) is a rare but potentially catastrophic event. There is a paucity of recent epidemiological data on the incidence and risk factors for ICA. The objective of this study was to assess the incidence, risk factors, and survival outcome of ICAs in adults undergoing noncardiac surgery.

National survey regarding the management of an intraoperatively diagnosed patent foramen ovale during coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Objective: With the increased use of intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), patent foramen ovale (PFO) has become a common finding during routine coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. This survey was designed to study potential differences in the management of intraoperatively diagnosed PFO.

Design: A written survey.

Anesthesia for robotic repair of the mitral valve: a report of two cases.

We describe the anesthetic management of two patients who underwent successful mitral valve repair with use of a robot-assisted cardiac surgical technique. We describe the robot used, as well as the surgical procedure, and highlight aspects of the anesthetic management, in particular the need for one-lung ventilation and the utility of transesophageal echocardiography.