Aerosol Mediated Transmission of SARS-Cov-2 Or COVID-19 In the Cardiac Surgical Operating Room

Abstract

While there is significant awareness regarding droplet and contact transmission, aerosols are generally underestimated as a potential mode of transmission of SARS-Cov-2 infection. With the gradual resumption of cardiac surgical activities, the cardiac surgical operating room will become an important potential source of infection to the cardiac surgeon and other healthcare workers participating in the operation. There is also diminished awareness about the different aerosol generating procedures (AGP) in the cardiac surgical operating room. In this mini-review we intend to highlight the various aerosol generating procedures that are common in cardiac surgery. This will help increase the awareness among surgeons to AGP. A practical approach to taking preventive measures have also been discussed.

In Reply to the Letter to the Editor Regarding “Coronavirus Neurosurgical/Head and Neck Drape to Prevent Aerosolization of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): The Lenox Hill Hospital/Northwell Health Solution”

“…The research surrounding SARS-CoV-2 aerosolization has become well established since the outbreak of the pandemic, and several medical techniques have been found to be culprits of aerosol generation and airborne spread of the virus, including endotracheal intubation, airway suctioning, bag mask ventilation, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, 2 , 3 electrocautery with subsequent formation of “surgical smoke”, 4 as well as occurrences as mundane as surgeons breathing and speaking to one another during cases. 5 , 6 For neurosurgery and related specialties, high-speed drills have been shown to generate and spread aerosols across a radius ≤3.5 feet from the source.…”