Cardiac Anesthesiology

Cardiac anesthesiology, provided by a certified cardiac anesthesiologists, is used to sedate patients during heart surgery. Administrating cardiac anesthesia differs from many other surgeries in the type of monitors that are used during cardiac procedures. Risk factors also vary with cardiac anesthesiology compared to other surgeries.

Risks

• Cardiac anesthesiology differs from other types of anesthesia because monitors are required during surgery to maintain a patient's blood pressure and heart rate. With cardiac anesthesia, most patients may be placed on cardiopulmonary bypass or a heart-lung pump during the surgical procedure, which may lead to complications like shock or heart attacks after the surgery. The chances of complications depend mainly on the underlying heart condition of the patient.

Reducing Risks

• Although risk factors vary for individuals, certain things can be done to reduce potential risk factors. It is important not to smoke because smoking increases complications during surgery due to the effect of nicotine on blood vessels. Keeping underlying conditions such has hypertension and diabetes under control can also help reduce complications with cardiac anesthesia. Consult a physician about these conditions before undergoing a procedure that requires cardiac anesthesia.

Cardiac Anesthesiologist Training

• Training for cardiac anesthesiology requires a medical degree followed by a general anesthesiology residency and specialty training in cardiac anesthesiology for an additional year. Cardiac anesthesiologist are part of the operating room team, which includes cardiac surgeons, intensive care nurses and trained technicians.