Continuous positive airway pressure and lung separation during cardiopulmonary bypass to facilitate congenital heart surgery via the right thorax in children

Abstract

We describe a fast track anesthesia technique that facilitates congenital heart surgery via right axillary thoracotomy in children. Continuous positive airway pressure on the dependent lung, before and during cardiopulmonary bypass, approximates the heart towards the chest wall incision, and significantly improves the surgeon's access to the heart.