title: Fast-tracking in pediatric cardiac surgery--the current standing.
abstract: Fast-tracking in cardiac surgery refers to the concept of early extubation, mobilization and hospital discharge in an effort to reduce costs and perioperative morbidity. With careful patient selection, fast-tracking can be performed in many patients undergoing surgery for congenital heart disease (CHD). In order to accomplish this safely, a multidisciplinary coordinated approach is necessary. This manuscript reviews currently used anesthetic techniques, patient selection, and available information about the safety and patient outcome associated with this approach.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, The Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, NY 10029, USA. alexander.mittnacht@msnyuhealth.org
authors.forename: Alexander J C
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Mittnacht
authors.forename: Ingrid
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hollinger
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000758:Anesthesia / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000379:methods*; D018579:Patient Selection; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000379:methods*