A survey of spinal and epidural techniques in adult cardiac surgery.

OBJECTIVE To determine if a significant number of anesthesiologists are performing spinal and epidural techniques in adults undergoing cardiac surgery and if any neurologic injuries have been associated with these techniques. DESIGN Anonymous survey of clinical practice. SETTING Data collected via mail from members of the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists. PARTICIPANTS Attending anesthesiologists. INTERVENTIONS Anesthesiologists completed an anonymous survey of their use of spinal and epidural techniques in adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Of 3974 anesthesiologists, 974 (24%) responded to the questionnaire; 892 are at institutions that perform cardiac surgery. Of the 892 responders, 68 (7.6%) reported they use spinal techniques, whereas 62 (7%) reported they use epidural techniques. Nine (1%) anesthesiologists reported they use both techniques. There were no reports of neurologic complications related to the use of spinal or epidural techniques performed by the anesthesiologists responding to the survey. CONCLUSIONS A significant number of anesthesiologists are performing spinal and epidural techniques in adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Prospective, controlled trials should be performed to evaluate the benefits and risks of spinal and epidural techniques in this population.

目的 确定是否有相当数量的麻醉医师在接受心脏手术的成人中使用脊髓和硬膜外技术，以及这些技术是否与任何神经损伤相关。 设计 临床实践的匿名调查。 环境 通过邮件从心血管麻醉医师协会成员收集数据。 参与者 主治麻醉医师。 干预措施 麻醉医师完成了一份关于他们在接受心脏手术的成年患者中使用脊髓和硬膜外技术的匿名调查。 测量和主要结果 在3974名麻醉医师中，974人（24%）回复了问卷；892人所在的机构进行心脏手术。在892名回复者中，68人（7.6%）报告使用脊髓技术，而62人（7%）报告使用硬膜外技术。9人（1%）的麻醉医师报告两种技术都使用。回复调查的麻醉医师中没有关于使用脊髓或硬膜外技术导致神经并发症的报告。 结论 相当数量的麻醉医师在接受心脏手术的成年患者中使用脊髓和硬膜外技术。应该进行前瞻性、对照试验来评估该人群中脊髓和硬膜外技术的益处和风险。