Anesthesia for Coronary Artery Disease

Anesthesia for Coronary Artery Disease

Anesthesia for Coronary Artery Disease

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Anesthesia for CAD: Pathophys & Risk - Heart Under Siege

  • Pathophysiology: Atherosclerosis → coronary stenosis → ↓ Myocardial $O_2$ Supply.
    • Ischemia: Myocardial $O_2$ Demand ($MVO_2$) > $O_2$ Supply.
    • $MVO_2$ determinants: Heart Rate, Contractility, Wall Tension (Preload, Afterload).
    • $O_2$ Supply determinants: Coronary Blood Flow (CBF), Arterial $O_2$ Content.
    • CBF critical factor: CPP (Aortic DBP - LVEDP).
  • Perioperative Cardiac Risk:
    • High-risk: Recent MI, unstable angina, decompensated HF.
    • Risk Scores: e.g., RCRI, etc.
    • Functional Capacity: < 4 METs = poor reserve.
    • Tests: ECG, Stress tests, Echo, Troponin.

⭐ Most perioperative MIs are silent, non-Q wave, and occur within 48-72 hours postoperatively.

Anesthesia for CAD: PreOp Prep - Tuning The Engine

  • Goal: ↓ Myocardial O₂ demand, ↑ O₂ supply; stabilize plaques.
  • Medication Review & Optimization:
    • Continue: β-blockers (target HR 55-70 bpm), Statins.
    • Aspirin: Usually continue; weigh bleed vs. thrombotic risk.
    • P2Y12 inhibitors (e.g., Clopidogrel): Stop 5-7 days pre-op (consult team).
    • ACEi/ARBs, Diuretics: Hold on Day Of Surgery (DOS).
  • Comorbidity Control:
    • HTN: Target BP < 140/90 mmHg.
    • DM: Target HbA1c < 7%.
    • Smoking: Cessation > 4 weeks.
  • Anxiolysis: Premedicate if significant anxiety.

⭐ Continue β-blockers if already on them. Do NOT initiate acutely in naive patients for intermediate/low-risk surgery without specific ischemic indications.

Anesthesia for CAD: IntraOp Care - Navigating The Maze

  • Core Goal: Balance Myocardial O₂ Supply (HR, rhythm, CaO₂, CPP: $DBP - LVEDP$) & Demand (HR, contractility, wall tension).
  • Monitoring:
    • Standard + 5-lead ECG (II, V₅ for ischemia).
    • Invasive BP (A-line) for CPP.
    • TEE/PA cath for high-risk LV dysfunction.
  • Anesthesia:
    • Induction: Smooth. Opioids (fentanyl), etomidate. Propofol with caution (↓BP).
    • Maintenance: Volatiles (Iso/Sevo > Des). Opioid-based.
    • NMB: Vecuronium, Rocuronium. Avoid pancuronium.
  • Hemodynamic Targets (📌 HOBBS):
    • HR: 50-70 bpm (β-blockers: esmolol).
    • O₂ Sat: >95%.
    • BP: Within 20% baseline. Treat promptly.
      • Hypotension: Phenylephrine.
      • Hypertension: NTG, esmolol.
    • Balance: Judicious fluids, glucose control.
    • ST-segment: Monitor, treat ischemia.
  • Regional: TEA beneficial (analgesia, sympatholysis), monitor BP.
  • Extubation: Smooth, avoid sympathetic surge (e.g. lidocaine).

⭐ Perioperative beta-blockade is crucial in CAD patients to reduce myocardial ischemia and mortality.

Perioperative management for cardiac risk patients

Anesthesia for CAD: PostOp & Complications - After The Battle

  • Pain Management: Reduces stress & MVO2.
    • Multimodal: Opioids, NSAIDs (cautious), paracetamol.
    • Thoracic Epidural (TEA): Excellent analgesia; monitor hypotension, hematoma.
  • Major Complications & Management:
    • Myocardial Ischemia/Infarction (MI): Peak risk 24-72h. Dx: ECG, ↑Troponins. Rx: O2, nitrates, β-blockers.
    • Arrhythmias: Atrial Fibrillation (AF) common (20-40%). Rx: Rate/rhythm control (β-blockers, amiodarone), anticoagulation.
    • Low Cardiac Output Syndrome (LCOS): Optimize hemodynamics. Inotropes, vasopressors, IABP.
    • Hypertension: Aggressive control (GTN, labetalol) for graft safety & ↓MVO2.
  • Monitoring: Continuous ECG (ST-segment), invasive BP, serial cardiac biomarkers.

⭐ Post-operative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is the most common arrhythmia after cardiac surgery (20-40%), increasing stroke risk and mortality anagement focuses on rate/rhythm control and anticoagulation if persistent beyond 48 hours or in high-risk patients

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Core goal: Maintain myocardial oxygen supply-demand balance; avoid tachycardia, hypotension, and significant hypertension.
  • Continue perioperative beta-blockers if already prescribed; use IV nitroglycerin for acute ischemia.
  • ECG leads II and V5 are crucial for intraoperative ischemia monitoring.
  • Volatile anesthetics provide dose-dependent cardioprotection.
  • Effective postoperative pain control is vital to prevent stress-induced ischemia.
  • TEE is invaluable for high-risk patients to detect new regional wall motion abnormalities.

Practice Questions: Anesthesia for Coronary Artery Disease

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Which anesthetic agent is considered the least cardiotoxic?

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Flashcards: Anesthesia for Coronary Artery Disease

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Cardiopulmonary bypass circuits activate factor _____ which can lead to clotting in the oxygenator.

TAP TO REVEAL ANSWER

Cardiopulmonary bypass circuits activate factor _____ which can lead to clotting in the oxygenator.

XII

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