HSF Reviews, Vol. 5, Issue 2

Cardiac and Vascular Surgery: Impact of Inflammation, Transfusion, and Microvascular Perfusion on Cerebral Protective Strategies

Target Audience: This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of cardiothoracic surgeons, cardiac anesthesiologists, blood bank directors, and hematologyoncology consultants.

Statement of Need: This activity will provide a forum for discussion of ways to optimize clinical outcome through understanding the impact of inflammation, transfusion, and microvascular perfusion on cerebral protective strategies.

Release date: September 2007
Expiration date: September 2008
Estimated time to complete activity: 1.5 hours

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

• Identify links between coagulation and inflammation in cardiac surgery.
• Discuss ways to stabilize the hemostatic response through the use of antifibrinolytic agents.
• Demonstrate an understanding of ways to control anticoagulation during cardiopulmonary bypass.
• Evaluate the safety and efficacy of antifibrinolytic therapy on cardiac surgery patients.

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.