Episode 290: Post-op Cardiac Surgery Care with Mike Grant

In this episode of ACCRAC, host Jed Wolpaw interviews Dr. Mike Grant, a cardiac anesthesiologist and director of a cardiac SICU, about routine post-operative care for cardiac surgery patients. They discuss milestones for ICU recovery, including mechanical ventilation strategies, early extubation protocols, and sedation and analgesia approaches. The conversation covers the use of pulmonary artery catheters and other monitoring techniques, routine labs, fluid resuscitation, acute kidney injury prevention, and the importance of early ambulation and physical therapy. They also touch on preventing post-operative AFib, blood management strategies, and the management of lines, tubes, and drains, emphasizing a shift towards earlier removal and patient-centered care. Finally, they conclude with random recommendations, with Dr. Grant recommending watching the Olympics and Jed Wolpaw recommending The Cradle Books fantasy series.