New insights in cardiovascular anesthesia: a dual focus on clinical practice and research

Accumulation of the results of basic and clinical research has advanced the safety and quality of management in cardiovascular anesthesia. To address recent developments in this field, a symposium was held during the 71th Japanese Society of Anesthesiologists annual meetings in 2024, focusing on new advancements in both clinical and basic research in cardiovascular anesthesia. During this symposium, four experts reviewed recent findings in their respective areas of study, covering the following topics: clinical reliability and concerns regarding volatile anesthetics during cardiopulmonary bypass; novel basic and clinical findings regarding the cardioprotective effects of dexmedetomidine; advancements in optimizing blood and hemostasis management during cardiovascular surgery; and innovative strategies for managing postoperative cognitive disorders following cardiovascular and thoracic surgery. Each expert summarized recent novel findings, clinical reliability and concerns, as well as future directions in their respective topics. We believe that this special article provides valuable insights into both clinical practice and basic research in cardiovascular anesthesia while also inspiring anesthesiologists to pursue further research in this field.