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The Definitive Guide to Cardiothoracic Surgery for Perioperative Practitioners

Jace Mitchell

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Published in Cardiothoracic Manual For Perioperative Practitioners

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Cardiothoracic surgery is a specialized field of surgery that deals with the heart, lungs, and other structures in the chest. Perioperative practitioners play a vital role in the care of patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery, providing care before, during, and after surgery. This guide will provide perioperative practitioners with an in-depth understanding of cardiothoracic surgery, including preoperative assessment, intraoperative management, and postoperative care.

Preoperative Assessment

The preoperative assessment of a patient undergoing cardiothoracic surgery is essential to ensure a successful outcome. The assessment should include a thorough history and physical examination, as well as a review of the patient's medical records. The history should focus on the patient's symptoms, risk factors for cardiothoracic disease, and previous surgeries. The physical examination should include an assessment of the patient's cardiovascular and respiratory systems. The medical records should be reviewed for any relevant information, such as previous echocardiograms, chest X-rays, or cardiac catheterizations.

Cardiothoracic Manual for Perioperative Practitioners

by Carina Taylor

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
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In addition to the history and physical examination, the preoperative assessment may also include a variety of tests, such as:

* Electrocardiogram (ECG) * Echocardiogram * Chest X-ray * Cardiac catheterization * Pulmonary function tests

These tests can help to identify any underlying heart or lung conditions that may affect the patient's surgery.

Intraoperative Management

The intraoperative management of a patient undergoing cardiothoracic surgery is complex and requires a team of highly skilled professionals. The team includes the surgeon, anesthesiologist, and perioperative nurse. The surgeon is responsible for performing the surgery, while the anesthesiologist is responsible for managing the patient's anesthesia and pain. The perioperative nurse is responsible for providing care to the patient before, during, and after surgery.

During surgery, the patient is placed on a heart-lung machine, which circulates the patient's blood and oxygenates it. The surgeon then operates on the heart or lungs while the patient is on the heart-lung machine. The heart-lung machine is then removed, and the patient is weaned from anesthesia.

Postoperative Care

The postoperative care of a patient who has undergone cardiothoracic surgery is complex and requires a team of highly skilled professionals. The team includes the surgeon, cardiologist, pulmonologist, and perioperative nurse. The surgeon is responsible for overseeing the patient's recovery from surgery, while the cardiologist and pulmonologist are responsible for managing the patient's heart and lung function. The perioperative nurse is responsible for providing care to the patient before, during, and after surgery.

The postoperative care of a patient who has undergone cardiothoracic surgery may include:

* Monitoring the patient's vital signs * Providing pain management * Administering medications * Providing respiratory care * Providing wound care * Providing nutritional support

The length of the postoperative stay will vary depending on the type of surgery that was performed. The patient may be discharged from the hospital within a few days, or they may need to stay in the hospital for several weeks.

Critical Care

Patients who have undergone cardiothoracic surgery may need to be admitted to the critical care unit (CCU) for close monitoring and intensive care. The CCU is a specialized unit that is staffed by a team of highly skilled professionals, including critical care nurses, physicians, and respiratory therapists. The CCU is equipped with specialized equipment that allows the staff to monitor the patient's vital signs, provide respiratory support, and administer medications.

Patients who are admitted to the CCU may require:

* Mechanical ventilation * Intravenous medications * Continuous monitoring of vital signs * Close observation by a team of healthcare professionals

The length of stay in the CCU will vary depending on the patient's condition. The patient may be discharged from the CCU within a few days, or they may need to stay in the CCU for several weeks or months.

Types of Cardiothoracic Surgery

There are a variety of different types of cardiothoracic surgery, including:

* Open heart surgery * Minimally invasive cardiac surgery * Thoracic surgery * Lung transplantation * Heart transplantation * Valve replacement * Coronary artery bypass grafting * Aortic surgery * Congenital heart disease surgery * Arrhythmia surgery * Pacemaker implantation * Defibrillator implantation

The type of surgery that is performed will depend on the patient's condition.

Cardiothoracic surgery is a complex and challenging field, but it can also be very rewarding. Perioperative practitioners play a vital role in the care of patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery, providing care before, during, and after surgery. This guide has provided an overview of cardiothoracic surgery, including preoperative assessment, intraoperative management, and postoperative care. Perioperative practitioners who are interested in learning more about cardiothoracic surgery should consider pursuing additional education and training in this field.

Cardiothoracic Manual for Perioperative Practitioners

by Carina Taylor

4.5 out of 5