Perioperative Care in Cardiac Surgery Flashcards

Enhanced recovery after cardiac surgery (ERAS) protocols most commonly aim to reduce:

Answer: ICU and hospital length of stay

ERAS cardiac protocols reduce ICU and hospital stay by promoting early extubation, mobilization, multimodal analgesia, and fluid optimization.

Neurological complications after cardiac surgery, including stroke, are most often caused by:

Answer: Cerebral embolism from atheromatous aortic debris or air

Macroemboli from atheromatous aortic plaque dislodged during cannulation/clamping and air introduced during bypass are the leading causes of perioperative stroke.

Which blood product is most effective for reversing coagulopathy due to dilutional platelet loss after prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass?

Answer: Platelet concentrate

Platelet transfusion directly replaces the diluted platelets and is first-line treatment for platelet-related coagulopathy after prolonged CPB.

Which antifibrinolytic agent is most commonly used intraoperatively in US cardiac surgery to reduce bleeding?

Answer: Tranexamic acid

Tranexamic acid is the most commonly used antifibrinolytic in US cardiac surgery, inhibiting plasmin activity to reduce fibrinolytic bleeding.

The most important modifiable risk factor for perioperative neurological injury in cardiac surgery patients is:

Answer: Adequate blood pressure management and avoiding embolism

Maintaining adequate cerebral perfusion pressure and meticulous aortic manipulation technique to avoid emboli are the most important modifiable preventive strategies.

The primary goal of glucose management in the cardiac surgery ICU is to maintain blood glucose between:

Answer: 140–180 mg/dL

Current evidence supports maintaining blood glucose between 140–180 mg/dL in cardiac surgery ICU patients, balancing infection risk against hypoglycemia harm.