Total Intravenous Anesthesia for Myocardial Protection and Preconditioning

Perioperative myocardial injury is common after any major surgical procedure even with best possible anesthesia and surgical management. Organ preservation during surgical procedure prevents morbidity and mortality. The effect of ischemic preconditioning on myocardial as well as other organ protection is well known. A variety of other agents also shown to have preconditioning thus protective effect on myocardium during anesthesia and surgery. The beneficial effect of volatile anesthetic preconditioning is well studied. However, the effect of intravenous anesthetic agents on this context is still way to go. This review is an attempt to look into the latest available research regarding the preconditioning and myocardial protective effect of intravenous anesthetic agents

Neuraxial anaesthesia in parturient with cardiac disease

Parturient with corrected or uncorrected cardiac problem may undergo neuraxial anaesthesia for several reasons and in different trimesters. The altered physiological state in a parturient is further deranged in the presence of a cardiovascular lesion, producing the added risk to the parturient undergoing a neuraxial block. A detailed evaluation, knowledge regarding cardiovascular disease state, more vigilant monitoring, and a team approach can lead to a successful outcome

Transoesophageal echocardiography: What a neuroanaesthesiologist should know?

Transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is a semi invasive imaging modality rapidly gained credence and popularity in the cardiothoracic centers worldwide by mid 1990s. It has also been found to be useful in some noncardiac surgical procedures, in particular in the management of neurosurgical patients and haemodynamically unstable patients in intensive care units (ICUs). The principal goal of basic transoesophageal echocardiographic examination encompass a broad range of anatomic imaging including the diagnosis of air embolism, causes of haemodynamic instability, ventricular size and function, volume status, and complications from invasive procedures, as well as the clinical impact or etiology of pulmonary dysfunction in ICU. TEE is relatively cheap and semi-invasive, but it should not be used as a stand-alone device but as a tool which provides data in addition to the data acquired from other forms of monitoring. The establishment of TEE in perioperative neuro anaesthetic care though recent, may result in a significant change in the role of the anaesthetsiologist who, using TEE can provide new information which may change the course and the outcome of surgical procedures

Cardiac Catheterization in Thoraco-Omphalocardiopagus Twins: A Case Report

The incidence of conjoined twin is rare and anaesthesia for procedures on conjoined twins is a demanding, exacting and meticulous exercise, whether prior to or during separation. literature on the anaesthetic management of these cases is sparse. The following case report details the expert and vigilant anaesthetic management leading to successful diagnostic cardiac catheterization. The report emphasizes the importance of synchronous ventilation, teamwork and communication required in cases such as this. This case report also details the difficulties encountered and how to overcome them during the prolonged procedure

Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Connection: Post Operative Problems and Management

The uncommon congenital cardiac anomaly, total anomalous pulmonary venous connection is incompatible with life unlessearly surgical intervention isdone. Most of the post operative problems and mortality in these children are also due to the changes in pulmonary vasculature. We hereby report two such cases that experienced a stormy postoperative course

Inadvertent Right Ventricle Perforation by Temporary Pacemaker Lead: A Case Report Requiring Surgical Exploration

Right ventricle perforation by pacemaker lead is rare but a life-threatening complication. It may present acutely within few hours of pacemaker implantation as hemopericardium, dreaded cardiac tamponade, leading to acute hemodynamic deterioration; even death, if not address immediately. At times, it presents gradually with progressive decline in hemodynamic and requires surgical exploration. The authors report a case of 51-year old female whose hemodynamic worsens gradually after temporary pacemaker implantation, requiring surgical exploration

Serotonin syndrome in a postoperative patient

Depression is common in patients with ischemic heart disease. According to mental health surveys, approximately one-fifth of the patients with angiographic evidence of coronary artery disease have major depression.[1] It is well-recognized that stigma associated with mental disorders leads to individuals avoiding treatment or concealing treatment for them. We report a case of serotonin syndrome that occurred during postoperative period in a patient who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting. The patient was receiving 60 mg/day fluoxetine for the last 4 years, which she and her attendants concealed during the preoperative evaluation. To our knowledge this is the first case of serotonin syndrome, reported in biomedical literature, in a postoperative patient. We suggest that history taking should also focus on antidepressant drug intake by patients. If serotonin syndrome occurs in such patients aggressive and timely management can help avert mortality

TIVA for ECMO and VAD

In recent decades, the use of temporary and permanent use of mechanical assist devices is on the rise for patients with end-stage cardiac failure. These support strategies hold inherently different risks in the face of noncardiac critical illness and require multidisciplinary treatment strategies. The main issues with all mechanical devices whether extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) or ventricular assist device (VAD), are related to thrombosis, anticoagulation, infection, avoiding hypertension and thus use of intravenous drugs, which requires intense monitoring, to circumvent further renal, ischemic or neurological injury and prevent complication