Anesthesia for Cardiac Surgery Flashcards
Labs you want prior to cardiac surgery
Pretty much your standard things + cardiac enzymes:
CBC (tells you O2 carrying capacity and ABL)
Electrolytes
Cardiac Enzymes (ensure that MI isn’t actively happening)
BUN/Cr
Coags (pt will be given heparin prior to placement on CPB)
T&C (PRBCs must be available! Usually ask for 4units on hold. 6-8 units for a re-do surgery)
This is the most preferred biomarker for myocardial damage
Cardiac troponin. This is ONLY found in cardiac tissue. Thus, its presence reflects even microscopic amount of myocardial necrosis.
Should premedication be given to pts undergoing cardiac surgery?
YES! Premedication assists in providing a calm and hemodynamically stable pt who is ready for surgery.
Inadequate sedation may predispose to HTN, tachycardia, or coronary vasospasm, and precipitate an myocardial ischemia.
Monitoring needed for cardiac surgery
Pulse-ox
EKG
–> can help detect regional ischemia
IABP
–> Usually radial, but sometimes femoral
CVP
–> Central line needed for vasoactive drug infusion. CVP can also help estimate RV filling pressure.
PA Cath
–> Indications vary. Some institutions place them all the time, and others may only place if severe cardiac dysfunction or pulm HTN. Despite the controversy surrounding PA cats, there needs to be SOME way to measure CP and ventricular filling pressures, whether it’s with a PA cath or TEE
–> The catheter can migrate with cardiac manipulation before and after CBP and with acute preload changes. May want to pull out a few cm before CPB started so that permanent wedging or PA rupture doesn’t occur.
TEE
–> Can detect real time ischemia by looking for new wall abnormalities and assessing valvular function. Can also detect filling volumes to direct fluid therapy.
EKG Leads and where they detect ischemia
Inferior myocardium (RCA) - II, III, AVF
Anterior Myocardium (LAD) - V4, V5
Lateral LV Myocardium (L circumflex)
- I, AVL
TEE provides intermittent pulses at a frequency of ____
2.5-7.5MHz
Preparing the room for cardiac surgery
Usual MSMAID things
Pacemaker with batteries
Heparin drawn up and ready to go (in case the pt needs to go on bypass emergently)
Coag monitoring capability (ACTs)
PRBCs available and in the room
Vascular access equipment (a-line, central line, ultrasound for central line placement)
Drips (usually have hypertensives on one side and hypotensive on another):
- NTG/NTP
- Epi/Norepi
- Phenylephrine/ephedrine
- Dopamine/dobutamine
- Antidysrhythmics (lidocaine, esmolol, amio, magnesium)
- The drips you need to have ready to go will vary from site to site
These are the most stimulating parts of cardiac surgery
Tracheal intubation, incision, sternotomy, pericardiotomy, and manipulation of the aorta.
Volatile agents in cardiac surgery are used as
Primary agents, or can be used as adjuvants in the prevention and treatment of breakthrough hypertension.
Opioids in cardiac surgery
Fentanyl and fentanyl-like drugs
- -> Fentanyl 50-100mcg/kg
- -> Sufentanil 10-20mcg/kg
Aside from bradycardia, they are relatively devoid of CV effects. They lack negative inotropic effects.
Although high-dose opioids cause loss of consciousness, recall is not totally eliminated. Therefore, benzos are often added.
High dose opioids do not consistently prevent a hypertensive response to periods of increased surgical stimulation. Volatile anesthetics can be added to prevent/treat this.
Fentanyl + benzo can cause a drop in SVR.
High dose opioids can cause chest wall rigidity. Can prevent with low dose NDMR.
Brady with opioids may be worsened with vecuronium or cisatracurium. Pancuronium can help offset the brady.
Is N2O used in cardiac surgery?
No, not really. It causes an increase in PVR, especially in those with pre-existing pulm HTN.
N2O is also a myocardial suppressant and also causes a SNS mediated increase in SVR. These slight changes may not be tolerated by those with minimal cardiac reserve.
Also, air introduced by CPB may be expanded.
Induction agents for cardiac surgery
Benzos, barbs, propofol, and etomidate can all be used as sole anesthetic induction agents or as adjuncts to opioid and/or volatile technique. Usage depends on degree of ventricular function and baseline sympathetic tone.
Etomidate is favored for those with limited cardiac reserve, but is rarely used d/t the adrenal dysfunction.
NMBs in cardiac surgery
Needed for intubation, prevention of opioid-induced chest wall rigidity, and attenuation of muscle contraction during defibrillation.
Considerations for the pre-induction period of cardiac surgery
Pretty much typical stuff.
Is your premed working? Is the patient adequately relaxed?
Attach your monitors
Pre-oxygenate
Do you have all your venous access? At least 2 large bore IVs
Invasive monitoring ready to go?
–> Consider post vs. pre-induction placement of monitors. In severe disease, get invasive monitoring prior to induction. If doing pre-induction, place a NC in the patient while getting access.
Remind the patient to report any CP or SOB. Treat CP with O2, additional sedation, and/or IV NTG. If due to severe anxiety associated with tachycardia and HTN, give BB and consider inducing general anesthesia if possible.
Induction and Intubation
We want a smooth induction, avoiding coughing, laryngospasm, and tranquil rigidity. Obviously, we want to avoid hyper/hypotension and tachycardia as well.
Achieve a deep plane of anesthesia for DVL.
Try to make DVL as quick as possible to minimize stimulation.
The induction period is part art and part science in determining what combination of medications to be given, what amounts, and at what speed to deliver them.
Be aware that in those with a slow HR prior to induction, their response to DVL will most likely be vagal in nature and severe brady can occur.
Pre-incision period
This is after the pt has been induced and intubated. The pt is being prepped, draped, etc –> all things with minimal stimulation. Hypotension may result regardless of anesthetic used. May need to reduce anesthetic depth or give vasoconstrictor. Remember to increase the depth again before incision!!!
Recall at this point is rare unless severe hypotension occurs in the face of a purely opioid technique.
The incision to bypass period
This is a critical period, with moments of intense surgical stimulation (incision, sternotomy, vascular harvesting, etc). This stimulation can cause HTN, tachycardia, and induce myocardial ischemia. We can try to anticipate these and increase anesthetic depth, but often a vasodilator or other adjuvant is also necessary.
Also, hypotension may occur during the less stimulating parts, or may occur with cardiac manipulation while attempting to cannulate the atrium.
As mentioned, this is a critical period and continuous observation of the surgical field is essential.
Surgeon also needs to be aware if any signs of new ischemia occur, and it should be treated promptly. There needs to be open communication btw surgeon and anesthesia so that they both know what’s going on and so that the heart gets periodic rests.
What needs to be done before the sternotomy?
Drops the lungs!!
When is the pt heparinized?
Immediately before CPB
How much heparin is the pt given and when does it peak?
200-300 units/kg
Peaks in 2 minutes.
What does ACT stand for? What is the normal range, and what is our goal for CPB?
Activated clotting time
Normal is around 80-160 seconds
Goal for CPB is generally greater than 400. Usually 400-500.