Anaes · Cardiac anaesthesia & cardiopulmonary bypass
Cardiac anaesthesia and cardiopulmonary bypass
Also known as Cardiac anaesthesia · Cardiopulmonary bypass · CPB · TOE cardiac surgery · SS_CS specialised study unit
Exam-pass cardiac anaesthesia hub (SS_CS): CPB circuit order, heparin/ACT, cardioplegia, TOE-guided weaning (RRAC), protamine reactions, TRICS III restrictive transfusion, valves/CABG leaf links, and mechanical support escalation.
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8 MCQs with explanations
Target exams
Red flags
Meet the patient
A 68-year-old man with three-vessel disease comes for elective CABG. Induction is smooth, the arterial line is in, the TOE probe passes after induction, and the surgeon calls for heparin. Your job in the next hour is simple to say and unforgiving to execute: anticoagulate, confirm the ACT, go on bypass, protect the heart, and bring him off again in one piece.[1]
The two questions that decide whether he leaves the table well are the two every cardiac case turns on: is the circuit safe and the ACT therapeutic? and can the heart do the work when you take the pump away? Hold those two and every section below slots into place.[3]
You have read the opening of this topic. The complete unit — every section and its primary-source references — is part of the Anaesthesia fellowship atlas.
References4Show ledgerHide ledger
- [1]Mazer CD, Whitlock RP, Fergusson DA, et al. Restrictive or Liberal Red-Cell Transfusion for Cardiac Surgery N Engl J Med, 2017.PMID 29130845
- [2]Levy JH, Ghadimi K, Kizhakkedathu JN, Iba T What's fishy about protamine? Clinical use, adverse reactions, and potential alternatives J Thromb Haemost, 2023.PMID 37062523
- [3]Fraile-Gutiérrez V, et al. Transesophageal echocardiography: A comprehensive assessment of the critically ill patient Med Intensiva (Engl Ed), 2026.PMID 42020231
- [4]Bottiroli M, et al. Perioperative Management of Patients With Durable and Temporary Left Ventricular Assist Devices Undergoing Non-Cardiac Surgery: A Comprehensive Review J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth, 2026.PMID 42350177