Southwest Cardiothoracic Anaesthesia

Article of the Month:

September 2025

A recent BJA education article outlining some basic principles for managing patients with congential heart disease for non-cardiac surgery. Gives a useful structures approach and provides a sensible framework for managing this complex patient sub-group.

Anaesthesia for non-cardiac surgery in patients with adult congenital heart disease

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common group of congenital anomalies, with a prevalence of approximately nine per 1000 live births. Advances in medical and surgical care have significantly improved survival, with 90% of children born with CHD now surviving to adulthood. There are more adults than children living with CHD, and a significant portion are >60 yrs of age.1–3 As the age of people living with CHD increases, so does the frequency to which they require care for non-cardiac conditions.

www.bjaed.org

Anaesthesia for non-cardiac surgery in patients with adult congenital heart disease

August 2025

Current

The Etomidate Conundrum - a blog post reviewing the evidence behind etomidate for rapid sequence intubation in the critically ill

criticalcarereviews.com

This month is something a little different with a blog post from Critical Care Reviews eloquently explaining some of the nuance between selecting Ketamine or Etomidate for RSI. An interesting read.

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