Wanda Popescu, MD
Professor of AnesthesiologyCards
About
Titles
Professor of Anesthesiology
Director, Thoracic and Vascular Anesthesia Division
Biography
Wanda M. Popescu M.D. is the Director of the Thoracic and Vascular Anesthesia Section in the Department of Anesthesiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut. Dr. Popescu received her medical degree from Carol Davila Medical School, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania in 1996. She completed her anesthesiology residency training at Yale New Haven Hospital in New Haven, USA in 2002. She undertook two fellowships in vascular and cardio-thoracic anesthesiology at Yale School of Medicine between 2002 and 2004. Subsequently, she remained on faculty and currently serves as a Professor of Anesthesiology at Yale School of Medicine and is the Director of the Thoracic and Vascular Anesthesia Section.
Dr. Popescu is an active member of many professional societies, including the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists and the American Society of Anesthesiologists. She is the Chair of the Advanced Perioperative Transesophageal Echocardiography Examination writing committee for the National Board of Echocardiography and a member of its Board of Directors. She is also a senior Part 2 board examiner for the American Board of Anesthesiology.
Dr. Popescu is one of the two editors of “Master Techniques in Upper and Lower Airway Management”, a print and e-book, which includes over 120 videos. Dr. Popescu has been a member of several national and international guideline writing committees, having co-authored Guidelines for enhanced recovery after lung surgery. She has lectured at multiple national and international meetings.
Appointments
Anesthesiology
ProfessorPrimary
Other Departments & Organizations
Education & Training
- Fellow
- Yale University School of Medicine (2004)
- Resident
- Yale-New Haven Hospital (2002)
- Intern
- Lincoln Medicine and Mental Health Center (1999)
- Intern
- Emergency Hospital-Bucharest (1997)
- MD
- Carol Davila University of Medicine (1996)
Research
Overview
Medical Research Interests
Anesthesiology; Education, Medical; Gastric Bypass; Laparoscopy
Publications
2024
Practice Advisory for Postoperative Pain Management of Thoracic Surgical Patients - A Report by Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists
Makkad B, Heinke T, Sheriffdeen R, Meng M, Kachulis B, Grant M, Popescu W, Brodt J, Khatib D, Wu C, Kertai M, Bollen B. Practice Advisory for Postoperative Pain Management of Thoracic Surgical Patients - A Report by Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists. Journal Of Cardiothoracic And Vascular Anesthesia 2024 DOI: 10.1053/j.jvca.2024.12.004.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPostoperative pain managementThoracic surgeryPain managementRisk of postoperative respiratory complicationsPersistent post-thoracotomy painPost-thoracotomy painThoracic surgical patientsPostoperative respiratory complicationsAcute pain managementClearance of secretionsPain management decisionsSociety of Cardiovascular AnesthesiologistsNon-pharmacological therapiesOpioid useAcute painMultimodal analgesiaRespiratory complicationsPharmacological therapySurgical patientsNormal respiratory mechanicsQuality of lifeOpioidSurgeryPainRespiratory mechanicsPractice Advisory for Postoperative Pain Management of Thoracic Surgical Patients: Executive Summary: A Report by Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists
Makkad B, Heinke T, Sheriffdeen R, Meng M, Kachulis B, Grant M, Popescu W, Brodt J, Khatib D, Wu C, Kertai M, Bollen B. Practice Advisory for Postoperative Pain Management of Thoracic Surgical Patients: Executive Summary: A Report by Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists. Journal Of Cardiothoracic And Vascular Anesthesia 2024 DOI: 10.1053/j.jvca.2024.12.003.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchThoracic surgical patientsPostoperative pain managementPostoperative painPain controlSurgical populationSurgical patientsOpioid-related side effectsRisk of respiratory complicationsPersistent postoperative painPre-existing co-morbiditiesPractice advisorySociety of Cardiovascular AnesthesiologistsAnalgesic regimenRespiratory complicationsSignificant painPerioperative providersPain managementCo-morbiditiesNormal respiratory mechanicsPainSide effectsImpaired recoveryRespiratory mechanicsPatientsCardiovascular AnesthesiologistsPractice Advisory on the Implementation of Preoperative Anemia Management: The Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists and the Society for the Advancement of Patient Blood Management.
Klompas A, Hensley N, Burt J, Grant M, Guinn N, Patel P, Popescu W, Raphael J, Salenger R, Shore-Lesserson L, Warner M. Practice Advisory on the Implementation of Preoperative Anemia Management: The Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists and the Society for the Advancement of Patient Blood Management. Anesthesia & Analgesia 2024 PMID: 39671507, DOI: 10.1213/ane.0000000000007321.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPatient blood managementAdvancement of Patient Blood ManagementBlood managementPreoperative anemiaCardiac surgeryAnemia managementRed blood cell transfusionAssociated with worse outcomesPreoperative anemia clinicPatient blood management programBlood cell transfusionAcute kidney injuryBlood management programPreoperative anemia managementImproving clinical outcomesSociety of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists (SCASociety of Cardiovascular AnesthesiologistsAnemia programCell transfusionAnemia clinicEducation of patientsAllogeneic transfusionCardiovascular complicationsKidney injuryTreatment algorithmReturn on Investment of Preoperative Anemia Management Programs in Cardiac Surgery: An Advisory From the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists Clinical Practice Improvement Committee With Endorsement by the Society for the Advancement of Patient Blood Management.
Warner M, Ferreira R, Raphael J, Shore-Lesserson L, Grant M, Sykes Hill S, Morewood G, Popescu W, Schwann N, Guinn N. Return on Investment of Preoperative Anemia Management Programs in Cardiac Surgery: An Advisory From the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists Clinical Practice Improvement Committee With Endorsement by the Society for the Advancement of Patient Blood Management. Anesthesia & Analgesia 2024 PMID: 39671509, DOI: 10.1213/ane.0000000000006721.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAdvancement of Patient Blood ManagementPatient blood managementCardiac surgeryBlood managementElective cardiac surgeryTreatment of anemiaSociety of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists (SCAPreoperative anemiaNoncardiac surgerySurgeryAnemiaLeadership buy-inFinancial modelManagement programsFinancial shortfallsFinancial implicationsCardiacBuy-inClinicDiagnosisPractice Advisory for Postoperative Pain Management of Cardiac Surgical Patients: Executive Summary: A Report by Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists
Makkad B, Heinke T, Sheriffdeen R, Meng M, Kachulis B, Grant M, Popescu W, Brodt J, Khatib D, Wu C, Kertai M, Bollen B. Practice Advisory for Postoperative Pain Management of Cardiac Surgical Patients: Executive Summary: A Report by Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists. Journal Of Cardiothoracic And Vascular Anesthesia 2024 PMID: 39551694, DOI: 10.1053/j.jvca.2024.10.015.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCardiac surgical patientsTreat postoperative painCardiac surgeryPostoperative painMultimodal analgesiaSurgical patientsAssociated with significant postoperative painManagement of cardiac surgical patientsImproving postoperative pain reliefOpioid-associated side effectsEra of enhanced recoveryHigh dose opioidsSignificant postoperative painPain-related outcomesPostoperative pain reliefFascial plane blocksCo-existing morbiditiesPostoperative pain managementPractice advisorySociety of Cardiovascular AnesthesiologistsEvidence-based recommendationsDose opioidsOptimal analgesiaPlane blockPain reliefPractice Advisory for Postoperative Pain Management of Cardiac Surgical Patients - A Report by Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists
Makkad B, Heinke T, Sheriffdeen R, Meng M, Kachulis B, Grant M, Popescu W, Brodt J, Khatib D, Wu C, Kertai M, Bollen B. Practice Advisory for Postoperative Pain Management of Cardiac Surgical Patients - A Report by Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists. Journal Of Cardiothoracic And Vascular Anesthesia 2024 DOI: 10.1053/j.jvca.2024.10.014.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCardiac surgeryPostoperative pain managementPain managementManagement of cardiac surgical patientsOpioid-related adverse effectsRisk of postoperative cardiopulmonary complicationsFast-track extubationAssociated with serious adverse effectsCardiac surgical patientsPostoperative pain controlPostoperative cardiopulmonary complicationsFascial plane blocksSerious adverse effectsPractice advisoryAdverse effectsPromote early recoverySociety of Cardiovascular AnesthesiologistsNon-pharmacological therapiesPlane blockSevere painCardiopulmonary complicationsMultimodal analgesiaNeurological sequelaePain controlRegional analgesiaAnesthetic Risk with Large Mediastinal Masses: A Management Framework Based on a Systematic Review
Saffarzadeh A, Popescu W, Detterbeck F, Li A, Blasberg J. Anesthetic Risk with Large Mediastinal Masses: A Management Framework Based on a Systematic Review. The Annals Of Thoracic Surgery 2024 PMID: 39307215, DOI: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2024.09.011.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMediastinal massSystematic reviewManagement of patientsVery-high-riskDegree of airwayDegree of symptomsAnatomic compressionRespiratory decompensationRetrospective seriesVascular compressionCase reportAnesthetic managementCategories of low-Anesthetic riskWriting panelIndividual patientsLow riskPubMed databaseDecompensationPatientsHigher-riskPotential decompensationAnesthesiaBack-up planReactive interventionsAssociation between inspired oxygen fraction and development of postoperative pulmonary complications in thoracic surgery: a multicentre retrospective cohort study
Douville N, Smolkin M, Naik B, Mathis M, Colquhoun D, Kheterpal S, Collins S, Martin L, Popescu W, Pace N, Blank R, Committee M, Aziz M, Blasberg J, Chang A, Freundlich R, O’Reilly-Shah V, Schonberger R. Association between inspired oxygen fraction and development of postoperative pulmonary complications in thoracic surgery: a multicentre retrospective cohort study. British Journal Of Anaesthesia 2024, 133: 1073-1084. PMID: 39266439, PMCID: PMC11619793, DOI: 10.1016/j.bja.2024.08.005.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPostoperative pulmonary complicationsOne-lung ventilationAssociated with postoperative pulmonary complicationsInspired oxygen fractionPulmonary complicationsThoracic surgeryLogistic regression modelsDevelopment of postoperative pulmonary complicationsIntraoperative inspired oxygen fractionDuration of one-lung ventilationReduce postoperative pulmonary complicationsMulticentre retrospective cohort studyComposite of postoperative pulmonary complicationsUS medical centresLung resection surgeryRetrospective multicentre studyThoracic surgical proceduresArea under the curveRetrospective cohort studyOxygen fractionExposure of interestResection surgeryMulticentre studyUnivariate analysisSurgical proceduresRecurrence-free survival after curative resection of non-small cell lung cancer between inhalational gas anesthesia and propofol-based total intravenous anesthesia: a multicenter, randomized, clinical trial (GAS TIVA trial): protocol description
Kim J, Yoon S, Song I, Lee K, Hwang W, Kim H, Lee D, Lim H, Kim S, Lee J, Hong B, Blank R, Pedoto A, Popescu W, Theresa G, Martin A, Patteril M, Pathanasethpong A, Thongsuk Y, Pisitpitayasaree T, Huang A, Yu H, Kapoor P, Kim K, Chi S, Ahn H. Recurrence-free survival after curative resection of non-small cell lung cancer between inhalational gas anesthesia and propofol-based total intravenous anesthesia: a multicenter, randomized, clinical trial (GAS TIVA trial): protocol description. Perioperative Medicine 2024, 13: 79. PMID: 39039548, PMCID: PMC11264408, DOI: 10.1186/s13741-024-00436-1.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchNon-small cell lung cancerRecurrence-free survivalCurative resection of non-small cell lung cancerResection of non-small cell lung cancerCell lung cancerCurative resectionTotal intravenous anesthesiaPropofol-based total intravenous anesthesiaLung cancerRandomized trialsClinical trialsAnesthetic managementReducing cancer recurrence riskAmerican Society of Anesthesiologists physical statusPatient's written informed consentMicroscopic residual diseaseInstitutional review board approvalReduce tumor recurrenceLung resection surgeryMethodsThis double-blindInhibit tumor angiogenesisMulticenter randomized trialCancer recurrence riskCell-mediated immunityIntravenous anesthesiaExtracorporeal membrane oxygenation in thoracic surgery: A game changer!
Glowka L, Popescu W, Patel B. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in thoracic surgery: A game changer! Best Practice & Research Clinical Anaesthesiology 2024, 38: 47-57. DOI: 10.1016/j.bpa.2024.01.003.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
Academic Achievements & Community Involvement
Clinical Care
Overview
Wanda M. Popescu, MD, is an anesthesiologist who specializes in thoracic and vascular anesthesia, which involves managing anesthesia for surgeries related to the chest and blood vessels.
In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Popescu is a professor of anesthesiology at Yale School of Medicine, where she directs the Thoracic and Vascular Anesthesia Section She trains and mentors anesthesiology students and has played a significant role in developing educational and examination standards in the field. Dr. Popescu is also an editor of Master Techniques in Upper and Lower Airway Management and has contributed to important guidelines for improving recovery after lung surgery. Dr. Popescu received her medical degree from Carol Davila Medical School in Romania, and completed her residency in anesthesiology at Yale New Haven Hospital. She further specialized with fellowships in vascular and cardio-thoracic anesthesiology at Yale School of Medicine.
Clinical Specialties
Anesthesiology
Fact Sheets
Critical Care Anesthesiology
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