Year in Review 2023: Noteworthy Literature in Cardiac Anesthesiology

Abstract

Notable clinical research published in 2023 related to cardiac anesthesia included studies focused on resuscitation and pharmacology, regional anesthesia, technological advances, and novel gene therapies. We reviewed 241 articles to identify 25 noteworthy studies that represent the most significant research related to cardiac anesthesia from the past year. Overall, improvements in clinical practice have enabled decreased morbidity and mortality with a renewed focus on mechanical circulatory support and transplantation.

A Year of Changes: The End of the Pandemic Marks the Beginning of New Priorities

“…Plaisted et al wrote this year's review of cardiothoracic anesthesia and, among other topics, emphasized the outcomes of different valvular replacement techniques. 16 Most notably, two RCTs compared transcatheter valvular repairs to medical management and showed improved survival in patients with mitral regurgitation and improved quality of life in patients with tricuspid regurgitation, respectively. 17,18 Other techniques, such as sternal-sparing mitral valve replacements, had similar survival and functional outcomes to replacements via sternotomy in a meta-analysis and a separate RCT.…”