Stephen Kowalski, MD, FRCP(C)

Cross-appointments

• Medicine, Section of Critical Care

Research interests

Perioperative outcomes

• High spinal anesthesia in cardiac surgery
• High spinal anesthesia in liver resection surgery

Airway management in critical care

• Predictors of first pass success rate with intubations in Critical Care
• Association of unsuccessful first pass intubation with long term ICU outcomes

Weaning strategies for long term ventilated patients

• Use of speaking valves to facilitate liberation from mechanical ventilation

Research summary

Perioperative outcomes: We are assessing the role of high spinal anesthesia in two major surgical categories. In cardiac surgery, we are assessing the effects of high spinal anesthesia as an adjunct to facilitated recovery (early extubation) in cardiac surgery and its effects on the occurrence of post-operative delirium. With liver resection surgery, we are assessing the role of high spinal anesthesia for facilitated recovery, specifically with regards to improved post-operative analgesia and hemodynamic stability.

Critical care: We are studying the predictors of first pass success rate for intubations in the critical care units and its impact on long-term patient outcomes.