The Role of Biosurgical Hemostatic Sealants in Cardiac Surgery

The focus on superb quality and value of medical and surgical care has become a cornerstone of modern clinical practice. Within the realm of cardiothoracic surgery, quality is synonymous with technically excellent, safely conducted operative procedure followed by an uneventful patient recovery and follow-up. Critical to this process of clinical value creation is meticulous attention to all aspects of every step along the management continuum. From surgical quality improvement perspective, the reduction in blood loss and thus minimization of blood/blood product transfusions are of critical importance. This chapter focuses on the role of biosurgicals as useful adjuncts to achieving the ultimate goal of uneventful cardiac procedure and thus set the patient’s clinical course for optimal postoperative recovery and long-term well-being.