Anesthesia for thoracic surgery: a survey of UK practice

Shelley, B., Macfie, A. and Kinsella, J. (2011) Anesthesia for thoracic surgery: a survey of UK practice. Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia, 25(6), pp. 1014-1017. (doi: 10.1053/j.jvca.2011.06.018)

Abstract

<p><b>Objective:</b> The authors sought to provide a snapshot of contemporary thoracic anesthetic practice in the United Kingdom and Ireland.</p> <p><b>Design:</b> An online survey.</p> <p><b>Setting:</b> United Kingdom.</p> <p><b>Participants:</b> An invitation to participate was e-mailed to all members of the Association of Cardiothoracic Anaesthetists.</p> <p><b>Intervention:</b> None.</p> <p><b>Measurements and Main Results:</b> A total of 132 responses were received; 2 were excluded because they did not originate from the United Kingdom. Values are number (percent).</p> <p><b>Anesthetic Technique:</b> The majority of respondents (109, 85%) maintain anesthesia with a volatile anesthetic agent, with a lesser proportion (20, 15%) reporting use of a total intravenous anesthetic technique. The majority of respondents (78, 61%) favor pressure control ventilation over volume control (50, 39%); just under half (57, 45%) report the routine use of positive end-expiratory pressure (median = 5 cmH₂O [interquartile range (IQR), 4-5]). Fifty-two (40%) respondents report ventilating to a target tidal volume (median = 6 mL/kg [IQR, 5-7]). Most (114, 89%) respondents routinely ventilate with an F_IO₂ less than 1.0. Thoracic epidural blockade (TEB) is favored by nearly two thirds of respondents (80, 62%) compared with paravertebral block (39, 30%) and other analgesic techniques (10, 8%). Anesthesiologists favoring TEB are significantly less likely to prescribe systemic opioids (17, 21% <i>v</i> 39, 100% [p < 0.001]). Proponents of TEB are significantly more likely to “routinely” use vasopressor infusions both intra- and postoperatively (16, 20% <i>v</i> 0, 0% [p = 0.003] and 28, 35% <i>v</i> 4, 11% [p =0.013], respectively). Most respondents (127, 98%) report a double-lumen tube as their first choice. Many (82, 64%) report “rarely” using bronchial blockers.</p> <p><b>Conclusions:</b> The authors hope this survey both provides interest and serves as a useful resource reflecting the current practice of thoracic anesthesia.</p>

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Shelley, Dr Benjamin and Kinsella, Professor John
• Authors: Shelley, B., Macfie, A., and Kinsella, J.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
• Journal Name: Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia
• ISSN: 1053-0770
• ISSN (Online): 1532-8422