Anesthesia for Minimal Invasive Cardiac Surgery: The Bonn Heart Center Protocol

The development and adoption of minimally invasive techniques has revolutionized various surgical disciplines and has also been introduced into cardiac surgery, offering patients less invasive options with reduced trauma and faster recovery time compared to traditional open-heart procedures with sternotomy. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the anesthesiologic management for minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS), focusing on preoperative assessment, intraoperative anesthesia techniques, and postoperative care protocols. Anesthesia induction and airway management strategies are tailored to each patient’s needs, with meticulous attention to maintaining hemodynamic stability and ensuring adequate ventilation. Intraoperative monitoring, including transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), processed EEG monitoring, and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), facilitates real-time assessment of cardiac and cerebral perfusion, as well as function, optimizing patient safety and improving outcomes. The peripheral cannulation techniques for cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) initiation are described, highlighting the importance of cannula placement to minimize tissue as well as vessel trauma and optimize perfusion. This article also discusses specific MICS procedures, detailing anesthetic considerations and surgical techniques. The perioperative care of patients undergoing MICS requires a multidisciplinary approach including surgeons, perfusionists, and anesthesiologists adhering to standardized treatment protocols and pathways. By leveraging advanced monitoring techniques and tailored anesthetic protocols, clinicians can optimize patient outcomes and promote early extubation and enhanced recovery.