They are devices which allow medication to be administered immediately to the heart. They are very useful for monitoring pressure and function of the heart, lungs, and surrounding circulation during and after surgery. Due to sedation, patients usually find these procedures very easy to undergo. In the Operating Room Once in the operating room, patients are assisted to the OR bed. Heart, lung, breathing, and other monitors are placed.
Fresh oxygen is administered through an oxygen mask.
Over approximately 20 to 30 seconds following anesthetic administration, the patient falls asleep under general anesthesia. Throughout the case while the patient is asleep, the cardiac anesthesia team continues to do the things necessary to ensure a safe anesthetic outcome. Each of these is controlled or manipulated to reduce strain on the heart during cardiac surgery and anesthesia. Each of these manipulations can effect other organ systems and this has to be taken into account during the case. In the past, patients frequently remained in this heavily sedated state for 15 to 30 hours.