Open-heart Surgery

Low-flow anesthesia (LFA) is a technique in which at least 50% of the exhaled air, after carbon dioxide absorption, is mixed with a certain amount of fresh gas and returned to the patient during the next inspiration. In 1974, R. Virtue defined minimal flow anesthesia (MFA) as 0.5 L/min. In 1984, Baker and Simionescu classified LFA as 0.5-1 L/min and MFA as 0.25-0.5 L/min. The aim of this study is to investigate whether there are hemodynamic differences between open-heart surgery cases performed with LFA at different fresh gas flow rates.

Protamine sulfate is routinely used to reverse heparin anticoagulation after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). The conventional dosing strategy of 1 mg protamine per 100 IU of heparin may result in excess protamine exposure, which has been associated with anticoagulant effects, platelet dysfunction, and hemodynamic instability. Recent evidence suggests that lower protamine doses may provide adequate heparin reversal while reducing potential adverse effects.  This multicenter, prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial aims to compare three protamine-to-heparin dosing ratios (1:1, 0.8:1, and 0.75:1) in adult patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery requiring cardiopulmonary bypass. The primary outcome is activated clotting time (ACT) measured 5 minutes after protamine administration. Secondary outcomes include the need for additional protamine administration, protamine-related adverse events, postoperative bleeding, blood product transfusion requirements, and length of intensive care unit stay.  The results of this study may help determine whether reduced protamine dosing can safely achieve effective heparin reversal while minimizing drug exposure and potential complications after cardiopulmonary bypass. 

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effect of a mindfulness-based nursing intervention on anxiety levels and vital signs in patients undergoing open-heart surgery during the preoperative and early postoperative periods.

This study aims to develop an algorithm that can guide targeted bleeding management through thromboelastography (TEG) viscoelastic testing performed on blood samples from patients undergoing open heart surgery. The goal is to develop an algorithm that supports targeted bleeding management based on TEG parameters. The study is prospective, in vitro, and non-invasive. The material will consist of residual blood samples from open heart surgery patients. Analyses will be performed using TEG parameters (R time, K time, MA, LY30). Patients will be randomized using a closed-envelope method and divided into two groups: anesthesiologist standard clinical observation-control (Group K) and anesthesiologist standard clinical observation and TEG analysis (Group T). The sample size is 70 patients per group. From an ethical standpoint, this study uses anonymous data without additional blood collection and ensures patient safety.

This prospective observational study aims to compare three routinely used postoperative analgesia techniques in patients undergoing open heart surgery: intravenous analgesia, thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA), and bilateral erector spinae plane block (ESPB). The primary objective is to evaluate the impact of these analgesia modalities on the development of chronic postoperative pain at 3 months. Secondary objectives include assessing postoperative acute pain scores, additional analgesic requirements, extubation time, mobilization time, intensive care unit stay, hospital stay, respiratory complications, and the relationship between acute and chronic pain. No intervention is assigned by protocol, and all analgesia methods are applied as part of routine clinical practice.

A chest tube is inserted to drain air, fluid, or blood from the pleural space and is vital for restoring respiratory function in the postoperative period. However, tube removal is often described by patients as one of the most painful and anxiety-provoking experiences. The sudden negative pressure changes that occur during the procedure, the stretching of the tissues, and the separation of the tube from the pleural tissue cause pain. This leads not only to physical discomfort but also to increased anxiety. Effectively controlling pain after surgical procedures is crucial for reducing complications and improving patient satisfaction. While pharmacological methods are often the first choice, interest in non-pharmacological approaches is increasing due to side effects and cost. In this context, rapid relaxation exercises and cold application are among the methods that are easy to implement, have no side effects, and have proven effective in nursing care. Rapid relaxation exercises are a simple breathing and muscle control technique that allows individuals to relax quickly by reducing muscle tension. This method balances the autonomic nervous system, producing both physiological and psychological relief. This helps reduce pain perception, control anxiety, and improve patient confidence. Cold application, on the other hand, reduces nerve conduction velocity by causing regional vasoconstriction and raises the pain threshold, providing an analgesic effect. Literature indicates that cold application is effective in reducing pain during invasive procedures such as chest tube removal and also increases patient satisfaction. Based on this information, the combined use of rapid relaxation exercise and cold application before chest tube removal may have a synergistic effect in reducing pain and anxiety. Furthermore, the noninvasiveness, ease of application, and cost-effectiveness of these methods provide significant advantages for nursing practice.This study was designed to determine the effects of rapid relaxation exercise and cold application before hest tube removal on pain, anxiety, and patient satisfaction.

This study aims to investigate the predictive value of Doppler-based renal ultrasound and urinary oxygen tension in the development of acute kidney injury after cardiac surgery.

Post-surgical delirium in patients undergoing open heart surgery. Introduction Delirium occurs after open heart surgery may reach about 1/3 of the patients.(1) Aim The aim of this study is to determine the incidence of delirium after open heart surgery and the associated risk factors in Alexandria University hospital. Patients and Methods The study will be done on patients undergoing open heart surgery in Alexandria University hospitals from January 5th 2019 till January 4th 2020. The 6-item Cognitive Impairment Test (6CIT) and SPMSQ questionnaire will be used. SPMSQ will be done preoperative and daily for 3 days postoperative, at day 7. Phone call for SPMSQ will be done 3, 6 9 and 12 months after surgery.

This study aims to investigate postoperative clinical, cognitive and neurophysiological assessment of patients after open heart surgery among sample of Egyptian patients.

In this study, researchers aimed to investigate effects of neurophysiological facilitation on functional capacity and respiratory parameters of patients who underwent open heart surgery. Do neurophysiological facilitation techniques improve individuals' respiratory parameters more than phase 1 cardiac rehabilitation? Do neurophysiological facilitation techniques improve individuals' functional capacity more than phase 1 cardiac rehabilitation? Researchers will apply phase 1 cardiac rehabilitation to both groups to see the effectiveness of neurophysiological facilitation techniques.