Postoperative Cardiac Care

Introduction - the rationale for rapid throughput; surgical techniques for rapid throughput (and metabolic response to cardiopulmonary bypass); anaesthetic techniques for rapid extubation; immediate needs of the postoperative patient; appropriate monitoring techniques; postoperative ventilatory support; pain management and sedation; fluid therapy; complications - postoperative bleeding; myocardial ischemia and perioperative infarction; low cardiac output states; acute renal insufficiency; neurological problems; managing early hospital discharge.