부산대학교 도서관

Anaesthetists have a key role in preventing cardiac complications during the perioperative period, but now are also increasingly involved in supporting patients who have suffered spontaneous acute cardiac events. Case 9.1 discusses the increasingly common situation of a patient with coronary stents in situ presenting for unrelated surgery. It is essential for anaesthetists to understand the implications of the presence of these devices and how this may impact on their anaesthetic techniques. A key issue is appropriate management of antiplatelet medication; this case describes the issues in depth and demonstrates the potential consequences of poor management. Patients suffering out of hospital arrest, as described in case 9.2, are increasingly seen as treatable – such aggressive management requires familiarity and quick decision making by the anaesthetic team. Expeditious stabilisation in the emergency department and transfer to the coronary catheter laboratory whilst implementing a neuroprotective strategy may significantly impact on neurological recovery.