HSF Reviews, Vol. 4, Issue 2

Best Practices in Cardiac Surgery: Strategies to Optimize Clinical Outcome by Preventing Organ Injury

Intended Audience: This publication has been developed for cardiac surgeons, cardiac anesthesiologists, and other allied health care professionals that care for patients who undergo cardiac surgery.

Statement of Need: Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center (WFUBMC) has been the focus of several NIH-sponsored research studies designed to identify the underlying etiology of negative outcomes following cardiac surgery. The data from these studies have resulted in changes in clinical practice and significant improvement in neurological outcomes at WFUBMC. The purpose of this publication is to explain easily introduced methodology that will improve clinical outcome based upon sound scientific experience.

Release date: December 2006
Expiration date: December 2007
Estimated time to complete activity: 1.5 hours

Upon completion of this activity, the participant should be able to:

• Identify the risks and benefits of the methods of temperature management during cardiac surgery.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the monitoring devices used during cardiac surgery and which are most useful.
• Discuss the significance of shed blood management to minimize bleeding.
• Evaluate the importance of blood management in treating patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

This issue of Heart Surgery Forum Reviews is available for download in PDF format. All materials, including the CME test are included in the file.

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Volume 4, Issue 2