Monday Lecture: Cardiothoracic Surgery

Question 1

The treatment for aortic stenosis depends on _______________.

Answer 1

symptoms; even severe aortic stenosis can be managed with surveillance if the person is asymptomatic

However, these indicate repair in an asymptomatic person:

• LVEF < 50%
• Already doing another cardiac surgery

Question 2

Give the three criteria that characterize severe aortic stenosis.

Answer 2

• Mean gradient > 40 mm Hg
• Valve area < 1.0 cm^2
• Peak velocity > 4 m/s

Question 3

Describe the natural history of aortic stenosis.

Answer 3

AS generally has a long asymptomatic stage with a slow decline and low risk of mortality. When symptoms arise, however, there is a sharp decline in survival.

Question 4

CVP should be ___________ after surgery.

Answer 4

a little higher than the normal range of 2-6 mm Hg

Question 5

Cardiac index is given in __________. The normal range is ____________.

Answer 5

L/min/m^2

This is (CO / [body surface area]).

2.5 - 4

Question 6

Neosynephrine is ______________.

Answer 6

phenylephrine