Scholars@Duke
Angela Pollak

Angela Pollak

Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology
Anesthesiology, Cardiothoracic

Selected Publications

Percutaneous Coronary Sinus Catheter Placement and Management With Transesophageal Echocardiography for Robotic Mitral Valve Surgery.

Journal Article Echocardiography · November 2025 INTRODUCTION: Placement of a percutaneous coronary sinus catheter (CSC) for retrograde cardioplegia delivery in minimally invasive cardiac surgery has been implemented at various centers. While several techniques have been described for catheter placement, ... Full text Link to item Cite

Aortic Root Thrombus in a Left Ventricular Assist Device Patient as a Cause for Intractable Ventricular Tachycardia.

Journal Article Ann Thorac Surg Short Rep · September 2025 Aortic root thrombosis (ART) is an uncommon complication after left ventricular assist device implantation. We describe a unique postoperative presentation of intractable ventricular tachycardia as a result of an aortic root thrombus extending into the lef ... Full text Link to item Cite

The Year in Cardiothoracic Transplant Anesthesia: Selected Highlights From 2022 Part I: Lung Transplantation.

Journal Article J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth · November 2024 These highlights focus on the research in lung transplantation (LTX) that was published in 2022 and includes the assessment and optimization of candidates for LTX, donor optimization, the use of organs from donation after circulatory death, and outcomes wh ... Full text Link to item Cite

Transmitral Pressure Gradients in Patients With Degenerative Mitral Regurgitation After Robotic Mitral Valve Repair With Leaflet Preservation Techniques.

Journal Article Echocardiography · October 2024 INTRODUCTION: The hemodynamic effects of mitral valve repair (MVr) with respect to transmitral pressure gradients (TMPGs) have not been described well in patients undergoing leaflet preservation techniques. In a population of patients undergoing robotic MV ... Full text Link to item Cite

Pulmonary Vein Systolic Flow Reversal Seen With Severe Tricuspid Regurgitation.

Journal Article CASE (Phila) · July 2023 • Systolic PVF reversal is specific to severe MR. • We report systolic PVF reversal with severe TR and TS. • This may be caused by interatrial dependence due to elevated RAP. ... Full text Link to item Cite

Ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm with dynamic aortic regurgitation.

Journal Article Echocardiography · January 2023 The ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (SVA) can present with dynamic aortic regurgitation (AR). Hemodynamic changes elicited by induction of general anesthesia can lead to dynamic AR in setting of ruptured SVA. Perioperative echocardiography is critical ... Full text Link to item Cite

Anesthesia and Hemodynamic Management for Lung Transplantation

Chapter · January 1, 2023 This chapter discusses the key preoperative considerations, intraoperative management strategies for lung transplantation as it pertains to induction of anesthesia, airway management, hemodynamic management, and postoperative analgesic strategies, with a r ... Full text Cite

Predictive capabilities of the European registry for patients with mechanical circulatory support right-sided heart failure risk score after left ventricular assist device implantation.

Journal Article J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth · October 2022 OBJECTIVES: The prediction of right heart failure (RHF) after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation remains a challenge. Recently, risk scores were derived from analysis of the European Registry for Patients with Mechanical Circulatory Support ... Full text Link to item Cite

Transesophageal Echocardiography-Guided Percutaneous Aspiration of a Large Tricuspid Valve Vegetation in a Patient with Infective Endocarditis.

Journal Article CASE (Phila) · September 2022 • Right-sided IE is associated with IVDU. • Percutaneous debulking of TV vegetations can be a therapeutic option. • TEE can help guide debulking. • TEE can be used to monitor for and prevent complications. ... Full text Link to item Cite

The Year in Cardiothoracic Transplant Anesthesia: Selected Highlights From 2020 Part I - Lung Transplantation.

Journal Article J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth · January 2022 This special article focuses on the highlights in cardiothoracic transplantation literature in the year 2020. Part I encompasses the recent literature on lung transplantation, including the advances in preoperative assessment and optimization, donor manage ... Full text Link to item Cite

The Association of Increased FFP:RBC Transfusion Ratio to Primary Graft Dysfunction in Bleeding Lung Transplantation Patients.

Journal Article J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth · November 2020 OBJECTIVES: Lung transplantation is associated with a significant risk of needed transfusion. Although algorithm-based transfusion strategies that promote a high fresh frozen plasma:red blood cells (FFP:RBC) ratio have reduced overall blood product require ... Full text Link to item Cite

Effects of a Goal Directed Transfusion Protocol on Severe Primary Graft Dysfunction after Lung Transplantation

Conference The Journal of heart and lung transplantation : the official publication of the International Society for Heart Transplantation · April 1, 2020 PURPOSE: Transfusion during lung transplantation (LT) is linked to primary graft dysfunction (PGD) and worsened outcomes. Goal-directed protocols have improved outcomes in cardiac surgical populations and decreased transfusions in LT on cardiopulmonary byp ... Full text Cite

Perioperative Characteristics Associated with Transfusion-Free Lung Transplantation

Conference The Journal of heart and lung transplantation : the official publication of the International Society for Heart Transplantation · April 1, 2020 PURPOSE: Blood transfusion during lung transplantation (LT) surgery is common. There is little evidence to identify potential candidates for transfusion-free LT surgery. We describe patient and procedural characteristics of LT patients in the era of ECMO a ... Full text Cite

Intraoperative Assessment of Mitral Regurgitation

Journal Article Journal of the Indian Academy of Echocardiography and Cardiovascular Imaging · January 1, 2019 Since its advent, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has played an important role in the surgical management of patients undergoing mitral valve (MV) surgery. Mitral regurgitation (MR) assessment and surgical decision making remains one of the most cha ... Full text Cite