Anaesthesia and cardiopulmonary bypass: a UK and Ireland survey

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Abstract
A postal survey of consultant anaesthetists in the UK and Ireland was undertaken in the summer of 1989 to determine anaesthetic practice during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). A questionnaire requiring details of anaesthetic agents used for induction of anaesthesia, maintenance of anaesthesia before CPB and during CPB was sent to 198 consultants. There was a 52% response rate. Intravenous anaesthetics were used during induction of anaesthesia, maintenance of anaes thesia and during CPB by 100%, 64% and 81 % of respondents respectively. Opioids were used by 96%, 96% and 80%, volatile anaesthetics by 73%, 95% and 36%, and neuromuscular blockers by 100%, 97% and 90%. It is concluded that a balanced anaesthetic technique using neuromuscular blockers, opioids and intravenous anaesthetics is that which is most commonly used during CPB.