Search

Ultrasound technology is available in many pediatric perioperative settings. There is an increasing number of ultrasound applications for anesthesiologists which may enhance clinical performance, procedural safety, and patient outcomes. This review highlights the literature and experience supporting focused ultrasound applications in the pediatric perioperative setting across varied disciplines including anesthesiology. The review also suggests strategies for building educational and infrastructural systems to translate this technology into clinical practice.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW The current review focuses on the new development of adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) patients in the areas of imaging, percutaneous interventions, ventricular assist devices and transplantation. RECENT FINDINGS Since the last ACHD publication in the journal, several advances have been made in the evaluation and treatment of these patients. As CHD patients' longevity increases pregnancy, comorbities and acquired heart disease become a concern. Recent data show that the incidence of complications in low-risk CHD is not higher that the regular population. In addition, breakthrough research in percutaneous valve implantation has been published showing good outcomes but needing intensive care recovery in a significant number of patients. In the ACHD heart failure population, assist device and transplant fields mounting evidence shows that these therapies should not be the last resort since low-risk ACHD patient may have similar outcomes to those with acquired heart disease. Finally risk stratification is important in ACHD to define better ways to recover from surgery and anesthesia. SUMMARY The field of anesthesia for ACHD is growing with new indications for diagnostic, interventional and surgical procedures. Tailoring cardiac and noncardiac care to the different risk profile in ACHD patients will be defined in the next few years. VIDEO ABSTRACT Motta summary clip: http://links.lww.com/COAN/A65.

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the addition of paravertebral blockade to general anesthesia in patients undergoing robotic mitral valve repair. Design A randomized, prospective trial. Setting A single tertiary referral academic medical center. Participants 60 patients undergoing robotic mitral valve surgery. Interventions Patients were randomized to receive 4-level paravertebral blockade with 0.5% bupivicaine before induction of general anesthesia. All patients were given a fentanyl patient-controlled analgesia upon arrival to the intensive care unit, and visual analog scale pain scores were queried for 24 hours. On postoperative day 2, patients were given an anesthesia satisfaction survey. Measurements and Main Results After obtaining institutional review board approval, surgical and anesthetic data were recorded perioperatively and compared between groups. Compared to general anesthesia alone, patients receiving paravertebral blockade and general anesthesia reported significantly less postoperative pain and required fewer narcotics intraoperatively and postoperatively. Patients receiving paravertebral blockade also reported significantly higher satisfaction with anesthesia. Successful extubation in the operating room at the conclusion of surgery was 90% and similar in both groups. Hospital length of stay also was similar. No adverse reactions were reported. Conclusions The addition of paravertebral blockade to general anesthesia appears safe and can reduce postoperative pain and narcotic usage in patients undergoing minimally invasive cardiac surgery. These findings were similar to previous studies of patients undergoing thoracic procedures. Paravertebral blockade alone likely does not reduce hospital length of stay. This may be more closely related to early extubation, which is possible with or without paravertebral blockade.

OBJECTIVE In this report, we describe our experience with the use of dexmedetomidine in spontaneously breathing as well as in mechanically ventilated patients, after congenital cardiac and thoracic surgery. DESIGN Retrospective case series. SETTING University hospital, pediatric cardiac intensive care unit. PATIENTS Thirty-three spontaneously breathing and five mechanically ventilated patients who received dexmedetomidine after cardiothoracic surgery. INTERVENTIONS None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Thirty-eight patients, age 8 +/- 1.1 yrs old and weight 29 +/- 3.8 kg, were included. Seven patients (18%) were