Thoracic Anesthesia of Patients With Suspected or Confirmed 2019 Novel Coronavirus Infection: Preliminary Recommendations for Airway Management by the European Association of Cardiothoracic Anaesthesiology Thoracic Subspecialty Committee

J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2020 Sep;34(9):2315-2327. doi: 10.1053/j.jvca.2020.03.059. Epub 2020 Apr 11.

Abstract

The novel coronavirus has caused a pandemic around the world. Management of patients with suspected or confirmed coronavirus infection who have to undergo thoracic surgery will be a challenge for the anesthesiologists. The thoracic subspecialty committee of European Association of Cardiothoracic Anaesthesiology (EACTA) has conducted a survey of opinion in order to create recommendations for the anesthetic approach to these challenging patients. It should be emphasized that both the management of the infected patient with COVID-19 and the self-protection of the anesthesia team constitute a complicated challenge. The text focuses therefore on both important topics.

Keywords: COVID-19; coronavirus; lung separation; personal protective equipment; thoracic anesthesia.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Advisory Committees / standards*
  • Airway Management / methods
  • Airway Management / standards*
  • Anesthesia, Cardiac Procedures / methods
  • Anesthesia, Cardiac Procedures / standards*
  • Anesthesiology / methods
  • Anesthesiology / standards
  • Betacoronavirus*
  • COVID-19
  • Coronavirus Infections / diagnosis
  • Coronavirus Infections / epidemiology
  • Coronavirus Infections / surgery*
  • Europe / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Pandemics
  • Pneumonia, Viral / diagnosis
  • Pneumonia, Viral / epidemiology
  • Pneumonia, Viral / surgery*
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic / standards*
  • SARS-CoV-2