Objective: To summarize post-operative management strategy for heart valve replacement surgery under transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) combined with general anesthesia.
Methods: From July 2006 to June 2012, a total of 86 cases of open-heart surgery patients experiencing TEAS plus general anesthesia with cardiopulmonary bypass (heart valve replacement surgery without intubation) were recruited in the present summary. Post-operative managements in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) were administrated with strict hemodynamic monitoring for volume infusion, routine administration of vasoactive drugs (including dopamine and nitroglycerin), oxygen inhalation, and analgesics and monitoring of central nervous system and renal function.
Results: All the 86 patients under TEAS + general anesthesia and cardiopulmonary bypass and without intubation experienced successful heart valve replacement surgery. The post-operative pulmonary infection was found in 8 cases (9.30%), the average stay duration in ICU was (28.6 +/- 6.2) hours, and the average draining volume of the interpleural space was (291 +/- 73)mL. The cardia insufficiency was found in 5 cases (5.81%), hypoxia occurred in 8 cases (9.30%), nausea in 8 cases (9.30%), vomiting 5 cases (5.81%) and post-operative gastrointestinal distension 13 cases (15.12%), mild renal insufficiency 3 cases (3.49%), fever (> 38.5 degrees C) 1 case(1. 16%) and severe post-operative pain 7 cases (8.14%).
Conclusion: TEAS combined with general anesthesia is safe for patients undergoing heart valve replacement surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass. The key points of treatment in ICU are volume infusion, body temperature maintenance, and pain control.