Anesthesia for Cardiac Catheterization

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CCL Setup & Pre-Flight Checks - Cath Lab Conquest

  • Unique CCL Environment: Radiation, remote location, shared airway, limited space/access. Anesthesia for Cardiac Catheterization Considerations
  • Pre-Procedural Assessment (📌 CATH):
    • Cardiac: IHD, valvular lesions, LV function (e.g., EF < 35%), arrhythmias.
    • Allergies: Esp. to contrast media (note previous contrast reaction).
    • Tests: ECG, Echo, Renal function (e.g., Serum Creatinine > 1.5 mg/dL).
    • Haemorrhage Risk: Coagulopathy; review antiplatelets, anticoagulants.
    • Comorbidities (renal, diabetes), ASA status, informed consent.
  • NPO Guidelines: Solids 6-8 hrs, clear fluids 2 hrs pre-procedure.

⭐ Patients with significant renal dysfunction (e.g., eGFR < 30 mL/min/1.73 square meters) require careful consideration for contrast volume and nephroprotective strategies.

Anesthetic Modalities - Potions & Protocols

  • Goals: Patient safety, comfort, immobility, hemodynamic stability, rapid recovery. 📌 SEDATe (MAC): Safety, Equilibrium (hemodynamic), Discomfort relief, Amnesia, Titratability, Emesis prevention.
  • Monitored Anesthesia Care (MAC): Most common. Agents:
    • Midazolam: Anxiolysis, amnesia (0.02-0.1 mg/kg).
    • Fentanyl/Remifentanil: Analgesia.
    • Propofol: Sedation, antiemetic (Bolus: 0.25-0.5 mg/kg; Infusion: $25-75 \text{ mcg/kg/min}$). Risks: apnea, hypotension.
    • Dexmedetomidine: Sedation, minimal respiratory depression, sympatholysis.
  • General Anesthesia (GA) Indications: Uncooperative/pediatric patients, prolonged/complex procedures (structural heart), hemodynamic instability, MAC refusal, difficult airway.
  • Airway (GA): Remote setting considerations. Airway management options in cath lab

⭐ Dexmedetomidine is particularly useful in patients where respiratory depression is a major concern (e.g., severe COPD, OSA) undergoing procedures under MAC.

Vigilant Monitoring - Cath Lab Command

  • Standard ASA Monitoring:
    • ECG: Continuous, leads II & V5 for ischemia detection (ST depression > 1mm).
    • NIBP: Frequent cycling.
    • SpO2, Temperature.
  • Capnography (ETCO2): Mandatory for General Anesthesia (GA); highly recommended for deep Monitored Anesthesia Care (MAC) to monitor ventilation.
  • Invasive Arterial Blood Pressure (IABP):
    • Indications: Anticipated large fluid shifts/blood loss, severe LV dysfunction, frequent blood sampling, vasopressor/inotrope use.
  • Activated Clotting Time (ACT):
    • Crucial for procedures requiring heparinization (e.g., PCI, structural interventions).
    • Target ACT typically 250-350 seconds.
  • Neuromuscular Monitoring: If muscle relaxants are administered.
  • Radiation Safety: 📌 ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) for personnel - lead aprons, thyroid shields, dosimeters.

⭐ Continuous 5-lead ECG monitoring is preferred over 3-lead for better detection of myocardial ischemia during cardiac catheterization procedures.

Complication Control - Crisis Crew

  • Hemodynamic Instability:
    • Hypotension: Causes (vasovagal, hypovolemia, ischemia, drugs). Mgmt:
-   Hypertension: Causes (pain, anxiety, pre-existing). Mgmt: Analgesics, anxiolytics, antihypertensives (e.g., Labetalol **5-20 mg IV**).
-   Arrhythmias: Bradyarrhythmias (Atropine **0.5-1 mg IV**, pacing), Tachyarrhythmias (ACLS guided).
  • Contrast Media Reactions:
    • Types: Mild (urticaria), Moderate (bronchospasm), Severe/Anaphylactoid (shock).
    • Prophylaxis (high-risk): Steroids, antihistamines.
    • Mgmt: Mild (antihistamines); Moderate (O2, bronchodilators, steroids); Severe (Epinephrine $0.3-0.5 \text{ mg IM}$ (1:1000) or $0.05-0.1 \text{ mg IV}$ (1:10000), IV fluids, O2, airway support). Algorithm for managing adverse reactions to radiocontrast
  • Vascular Access Complications:
    • Hematoma, pseudoaneurysm, retroperitoneal hemorrhage.

    ⭐ Retroperitoneal hemorrhage: rare, life-threatening femoral access complication; presents with hypotension, flank pain, ↓Hb.

  • Other Key Complications:
    • Thromboembolism/Stroke: Maintain anticoagulation.
    • Air Embolism: Left lateral decubitus (LLD), Trendelenburg, 100% O2.
    • Local Anesthetic Systemic Toxicity (LAST): If large LA volumes; Mgmt: Lipid emulsion therapy.
  • 📌 HHAPPy Mnemonic (Common Complications): Hemorrhage, Hypotension, Arrhythmia, Pseudoaneurysm, Puncture site pain.
  • Emergency Preparedness:
    • Essential: Difficult airway cart, defibrillator, emergency drugs readily available (e.g., ACLS drugs).

High-Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Monitored Anesthesia Care (MAC) is preferred, using midazolam and fentanyl for sedation.
  • Vigilant airway monitoring and readiness for intervention are crucial due to sedation risks.
  • Systemic heparinization is standard; target Activated Clotting Time (ACT) of 250-300 seconds.
  • Key complications: cardiac arrhythmias, vascular access site bleeding, and allergic contrast reactions.
  • Ensure immediate availability of reversal agents like naloxone and flumazenil.
  • General anesthesia is often necessary for pediatric patients or complex interventions.
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