Performed over
12,000 cardiac surgeries
Performed over
700 "Beating Heart" surgeries for coronary bypass.
( For those unfamiliar, the traditional technique of coronary bypass implies
stopping the heart and supporting the patient circulation through hoses or canulae
going to and coming from the Heart Lung machine, which despite its proven efficacy
entails risks of stroke and bleeding. By avoiding manipulating the heart and
great vessel with these canulae, beating heart surgery allows lesser rate of
stroke. As well, the detrimental effect of the Heart Lung machine on the blood
components produces coagulation defects with increased bleeding and anemia. Beating
heart surgery implies that the patient's blood is never put in contact with these
synthetic surfaces and thus preserves its coagulation potential ).
Promoted use of the axillary artery in
cardiac surgery for extra aortic cannulation to reduce stroke and as well for
cerebral protection if needed during circulatory arrest.
Performed over
2500 ultrasonic examination of the aorta at surgery to prevent
dislodgment of debris and catastrophic consequences such
as stroke. Tactical management has been proposed in cases
of severe disease to lower the stroke rate ( See above)
Promoted stroke prevention
by early preoperative detection of increased stroke risk in patients
with carotid disease by showing an increased (doubled ) incidence
of severely atherosclerotic aorta by ultrasound at the time of surgery
in the patients with carotid occlusion shown preoperatively by Doppler
interrogation.
Read Chapter Eighteen of Medical Media:
Echocardiography
in Adult Cardiac Surgery Intraoperative Epiaortic Ultrasound:
Y.R. Baribeau and B.M. Westbrook