Clinical Focus


  • Anesthesia
  • Pediatric Anesthesia
  • Pediatric Cardiac Anesthesia
  • Anesthesia for fetal surgery
  • Pediatric Critical Care
  • Medical simulation

Academic Appointments


Professional Education


  • Medical Education: Boston University School of Medicine (1993) MA
  • M.D., Boston University School of Med (1993)
  • Residency, Childrens Hospital Oakland, Pediatrics (1996)
  • Fellowship, UCSF/ Childrens Hospital Oakland, Pediatric Critical Care (2000)
  • Residency, Stanford Univ Med Center, Anesthesiology (2003)
  • Fellowship, Stanford Univ Med Center, Pediatric Anesthesiology (2004)
  • Fellowship, Stanford Univ Med Center, Medical Simulation (2012)
  • Board Certification: American Board of Pediatrics, Pediatrics (1999)
  • Board Certification: American Board of Anesthesiology, Anesthesia (2004)
  • Board Certification: American Board of Anesthesiology, Pediatric Anesthesia (2013)

2023-24 Courses


Graduate and Fellowship Programs


  • Pediatric Anesthesia (Fellowship Program)

All Publications


  • Anesthesia for Major Surgery in the Neonate. Anesthesiology clinics Kuan, C. C., Shaw, S. J. 2020; 38 (1): 1–18

    Abstract

    Perioperative risk of morbidity and mortality for neonates is significantly higher than that for older children and adults. At particular risk are neonates born prematurely, neonates with major or severe congenital heart disease, and neonates with pulmonary hypertension. Presently no consensus exists regarding the safest anesthetic regimen for neonates. Regional anesthesia appears to be safe, but does not reduce the overall risk of postoperative apnea. Former preterm infants require postoperative observation for apnea. The anesthesiologist caring for the neonate for major surgery should be knowledgeable of the unique physiology of the neonate and maintain the highest level of vigilance throughout.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.anclin.2019.10.001

    View details for PubMedID 32008645

  • Toward Opioid-Free Fast Track for Pediatric Congenital Cardiac Surgery. Journal of cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesia Esfahanian, M., Caruso, T. J., Lin, C., Kuan, C., Purkey, N. J., Maeda, K., Tsui, B. C. 2019

    View details for DOI 10.1053/j.jvca.2019.02.003

    View details for PubMedID 30852093

  • Transfusion Management of Conjoined Twins Undergoing Surgical Separation: A Single Center Experience with Three Sets of Thoraco-Omphalopagus Twins over Ten Years Tsang, H., Kuan, C., Boltz, M., Hartman, G., Joshi, R. P., Panigrahi, A., Andrews, J. WILEY. 2018: 122A–123A
  • Anesthetic Management During Surgery for Tetralogy of Fallot With Pulmonary Atresia and Major Aortopulmonary Collateral Arteries WORLD JOURNAL FOR PEDIATRIC AND CONGENITAL HEART SURGERY Quinonez, Z. A., Downey, L., Abbasi, R. K., Kuan, C., Asija, R., McElhinney, D. B., Hanley, F. L., Mainwaring, R. D., Wise-Faberowski, L. 2018; 9 (2): 236–41

    Abstract

    Tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia and major aortopulmonary collaterals (TOF/PA/MAPCAs) is a heterogeneous disease with varying degrees of severity, requiring complex anesthetic management. Our institution has adopted the approach of early complete repair with incorporation of all lung segments, extensive lobar and branch segmental pulmonary artery reconstruction, and ventricular septal defect closure. While the surgical management of TOF/PA/MAPCAs has been extensively described and varies depending on the institution, there is a paucity of literature on the anesthetic management for such procedures. Herein, we describe our anesthetic management based on our own institution's surgical approach at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital/Stanford University.

    View details for PubMedID 29544416

  • Summer camp, boot camp, and the formation of a new fellow PEDIATRIC ANESTHESIA Fehr, J. J., Kuan, C. 2016; 26 (5): 466–67

    View details for PubMedID 27059415

  • The important role of simulation in sedation CURRENT OPINION IN ANESTHESIOLOGY Fehr, J. J., Chao, J., Kuan, C., Zhong, J. 2016; 29: S14-S20

    Abstract

    This article reviews the development of simulation-based training strategies to educate sedation providers.Medical simulation has been utilized to train and evaluate providers in numerous domains related to sedation. Sedation providers come to the patient with a wide range of clinical training and experience and simulation can serve as a platform for achieving a baseline skill level and for periodic retraining. Although widely accepted by participants in simulation training, data demonstrating simulation's efficacy in improving sedation-related clinical outcomes are lacking.Simulation provides an opportunity for sedation providers to develop deliberative practice, to consider rare or challenging clinical conditions, and to benefit from directed feedback, in a manner that does not put patients in harm's way.

    View details for DOI 10.1097/ACO.0000000000000313

    View details for Web of Science ID 000373238000002

  • Hemodynamic Assessment After Complete Repair of Pulmonary Atresia With Major Aortopulmonary Collaterals ANNALS OF THORACIC SURGERY Mainwaring, R. D., Reddy, V. M., Peng, L., Kuan, C., Palmon, M., Hanley, F. L. 2013; 95 (4): 1397-1402

    Abstract

    Pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect and major aortopulmonary collaterals (PA/VSD/MAPCAs) is a complex form of congenital heart defect. There are limited data regarding late hemodynamics of patients after repair of PA/VSD/MAPCAs. This study evaluated the hemodynamics of patients who underwent complete repair of PA/VSD/MAPCSs and subsequently returned for a conduit change.This was a retrospective review of 80 children undergoing a right ventricle (RV)-to-pulmonary artery conduit replacement after complete repair of PA/VSD/MAPCAs. All patients underwent preoperative cardiac catheterization to define the cardiac physiology. Patients were an average age of 6.5±1.2 years, and the average interval between complete repair and conduit change was 4.5±1.1 years.The preoperative cardiac catheterization demonstrated an average RV right peak systolic pressure of 70±22 mm Hg and pulmonary artery pressure of 38±14 mm Hg. This pressure gradient of 32 mm Hg reflects the presence of conduit obstruction. After conduit change, the intraoperative RV systolic pressure was 34±8 mm Hg, similar to 36±9 mm Hg at the conclusion of the previous complete repair. The corresponding RV/aortic pressure ratios were 0.36±0.07 and 0.39±0.09, respectively.The data demonstrate that patients who underwent complete repair of PA/VSD/MAPCAs had nearly identical pulmonary artery pressures when they returned for conduit change some 4.5 years later. This finding indicates that the growth and development of the unifocalized pulmonary vascular bed is commensurate with visceral growth. We would hypothesize that complete repair, along with low RV pressures, will confer a long-term survival advantage.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2012.12.066

    View details for PubMedID 23453744

  • Clinical Anesthesiology Board Review: A Test Simulation and Self Assessment Tool edited by Chu, L., et al McGraw-Hill. 2013
  • Perioperative complications in children with pulmonary hypertension undergoing general anesthesia with ketamine PEDIATRIC ANESTHESIA Williams, G. D., Maan, H., Ramamoorthy, C., Kamra, K., Bratton, S. L., Bair, E., Kuan, C. C., Hammer, G. B., Feinstein, J. A. 2010; 20 (1): 28-37

    Abstract

    Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is associated with significant perioperative risk for major complications in children, including pulmonary hypertensive crisis and cardiac arrest. Uncertainty remains about the safety of ketamine anesthesia in this patient population.Retrospectively review the medical records of children with PAH to ascertain the nature and frequency of peri-procedural complications and to determine whether ketamine administration was associated with peri-procedural complications.Children with PAH (mean pulmonary artery pressure > or =25 mmHg and pulmonary vascular resistance index > or =3 Wood units) who underwent general anesthesia for procedures during a 6-year period (2002-2008) were enrolled. Details about the patient, PAH, procedure, anesthetic and postprocedural course were noted, including adverse events during or within 48 h of the procedure. Complication rates were reported per procedure. Association between ketamine and peri-procedural complications was tested.Sixty-eight children (median age 7.3 year, median weight 22 kg) underwent 192 procedures. Severity of PAH was mild (23%), moderate (37%), and severe (40%). Procedures undertaken were major surgery (n = 20), minor surgery (n = 27), cardiac catheterization (n = 128) and nonsurgical procedures (n = 17). Ketamine was administered during 149 procedures. Twenty minor and nine major complications were noted. Incidence of cardiac arrest was 0.78% for cardiac catheterization procedures, 10% for major surgical procedures and 1.6% for all procedures. There was no procedure-related mortality. Ketamine administration was not associated with increased complications.Ketamine appears to be a safe anesthetic option for children with PAH. We report rates for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and mortality that are more favorable than those previously reported.

    View details for DOI 10.1111/j.1460-9592.2009.03166.x

    View details for PubMedID 20078799

  • An analysis of factors influencing postanesthesia recovery after pediatric ambulatory tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy ANESTHESIA AND ANALGESIA Edler, A. A., Mariano, E. R., Golianu, B., Kuan, C., Pentcheva, K. 2007; 104 (4): 784-789

    Abstract

    Many factors contribute to prolonged length of stay (LOS) for pediatric patients in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU). We designed this prospective study to identify the pre- and postoperative factors that prolong LOS.We studied 166 children, aged 1-18 yr, who underwent tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy or tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, and bilateral myringotomy with tube insertion under general anesthesia. The primary outcome measure was the time spent in the PACU until predetermined discharge criteria were met.The number of episodes of postoperative nausea and vomiting, patient age, and number of oxygen desaturations contributed significantly (P < 0.05) to prolonged LOS. Each episode of postoperative nausea and vomiting (P < 0.05) or oxygen desaturation to <95% (P < 0.05) increased the patient's LOS by 0.5 h. History of upper respiratory tract infection, emergence agitation, and parental anxiety did not significantly predict increased LOS.This investigation is the first composite view of LOS in pediatric patients. The significance of identifying patients at risk of prolonged LOS prior to anesthesia is of use not only in allocating PACU resource and staffing needs, but also for improving quality of care and ensuring a minimally traumatic anesthetic experience for our pediatric patients and their families.

    View details for DOI 10.1213/01.ane.0000258771.53068.09

    View details for PubMedID 17377083

  • Clinical Anesthesiology Board Review: A Test Simulation and Self-Assessment Tool edited by Chu, L., et al McGraw-Hill. 2005