Fast-Track Cardiac Anesthesia and Early Tracheal Extubation

Fast-track cardiac care requires an interdisciplinary approach to anesthesia during surgery, as well as a coordinated approach after surgery, in order to achieve early extubation and an overall streamlined approach to recovery and hospital discharge. The use of protocols to define specific goals and criteria for extubation and an interdisciplinary team approach is an even more important determinant of success than the specific anesthetic agents chosen. A coordinated fast-track approach optimizes resource utilization in the perioperative setting while also improving patient outcomes, which ultimately translates to an overall improvement in value not only for patients, but also for healthcare professionals, hospitals, and health systems.