The concept of a denervated heart is a significant consideration in patients receiving orthotopic heart transplants. When these donor hearts are procured, there’s no way to preserve native autonomic regulation (ie, vagal input). After...

CentriMag devices are implanted for acute right and/or left-sided circulatory support but often times used for extended periods of time for patients with acute heart failure awaiting a heart transplant. With CentriMag devices, patients...

Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) like the HeartMate 3 are routinely being implanted as a mechanical circulatory bridge-to-transplant (BTT) or destination therapy (DT). My anesthetic plan for LVAD placement includes general endotracheal anesthesia, arterial...

A bubble study is often utilized to confirm the presence of shunting across the interatrial septum (IAS) via patent foramen ovale (PFO) or atrial septal defect (ASD). This study is combined with color flow...

Maintenance of certification in anesthesiology (MOCA) is an important aspect of demonstrating knowledge and various proficiencies over the course of our careers. The latest iteration of this process ("MOCA 2.0") has replaced the MOCA...

Yesterday while at work, I received an email from the National Board of Echocardiography stating that I passed my critical care echocardiography examination! This exam was a great primer for examination I’ll have in July...

I started the process of filing for my Texas initial physician license back on October 20, 2018. Today I finally completed this process by giving my fingerprints for screening purposes by the Texas Department...

Orthotopic heart transplantations (OHTs) are some of my favorite procedures as a cardiothoracic anesthesiologist! After establishing general endotracheal anesthesia (GETA) with standard monitors, an arterial line, a central line (often with pulmonary artery catheter),...