Fluids and Organ Dysfunction: A Narrative Review of the Literature and Discussion of 5 Controversial Topics

Evidence-based clinical decision making is at the forefront of modern cardiothoracic anesthesia practice. Therefore, as a field, cardiac anesthesiologist should strive to ensure that the available evidence is of the highest possible quality. In this narrative review, 5 important topics that the authors believe require additional investigation in cardiothoracic anesthesia and critical care related to fluid therapy and organ dysfunction are outlined briefly. In particular, the authors believe that the areas of pulmonary artery catheter use, restrictive versus liberal transfusion strategies, cardiopulmonary bypass prime composition, colloid use in resuscitation and its effects on acute kidney injury, and management of acute kidney injury after cardiac surgery hold many unanswered questions and opportunities for continued improvement in the specialty of cardiac anesthesia. This article accompanies a presentation at the 46th Association of Cardiac Anesthesiologists Annual Meeting on October 22, 2017.