Pain Measurement in Mechanically Ventilated Patients After Cardiac Surgery: Comparison of the Behavioral Pain Scale (BPS) and the Critical-Care Pain Observation Tool (CPOT)
(Abstracted from J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth, 31:1227–1234, 2017)
Postsurgical pain is common in critically ill patients, such as cardiac surgery patients, and can have a negative effect on recovery. The experience of severe pain during intensive care unit (ICU) stays has been linked to the development of posttraumatic stress disorder–related symptoms. (Source: Survey of Anesthesiology)
Source: Survey of Anesthesiology - October 1, 2017 Category: Anesthesiology Tags: Critical Care Source Type: research
Little Black Boxes: Noncardiac Implantable Electronic Medical Devices and Their Anesthetic and Surgical Implications
This report provides an overview of their perioperative functioning in electromagnetic environments, such as operating room, gastrointestinal procedure suite, and imaging suite, where electromagnetic interference with the devices can lead to adverse patient outcomes. (Source: Survey of Anesthesiology)
Source: Survey of Anesthesiology - October 1, 2017 Category: Anesthesiology Tags: Coexisting Disease Source Type: research
Raising the Alarm on Brain Attacks in Surgical Patients: Are We Doing Enough to Prevent and Treat Postoperative Strokes?
(Abstracted from Anesthesiology, 127(1):3–5, 2017)
This editorial provides an overview of the study by Christiansen et al,1 which demonstrates that a history of acute ischemic stroke within 3 months of emergency noncardiac, nonintracranial surgery significantly increased the risk of a postoperative stroke using data from the Danish National Patient Registry. (Source: Survey of Anesthesiology)
Source: Survey of Anesthesiology - October 1, 2017 Category: Anesthesiology Tags: Coexisting Disease Source Type: research
Inhaled Pulmonary Vasodilators in Cardiac Surgery Patients: Correct Answer Is “No”
(Abstracted from Anesth Analg, 125(2):375–377, 2017)
This editorial provides an overview of the systematic review and meta-analysis by Elmi-Sarabi et al1 on the effects of aerosolized vasodilators for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension in cardiac surgery patients. (Source: Survey of Anesthesiology)
Source: Survey of Anesthesiology - October 1, 2017 Category: Anesthesiology Tags: Cardiothoracic Anesthesia Source Type: research
Aerosolized Vasodilators for the Treatment of Pulmonary Hypertension in Cardiac Surgical Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
(Abstracted from Anesth Analg, 125(2):393–402, 2017)
This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to compare the efficiency of inhaled aerosolized vasodilators, intravenously administered ones, and a placebo on pulmonary hypertension (PH) treatment and management in cardiac surgery patients. With PH being a hemodynamic issue, which can cause right ventricular failure leading to a worsening of the condition of cardiac surgery patients, managing PH and addressing the challenge are important. (Source: Survey of Anesthesiology)
Source: Survey of Anesthesiology - October 1, 2017 Category: Anesthesiology Tags: Cardiothoracic Anesthesia Source Type: research
Financial and Environmental Costs of Reusable and Single-Use Anaesthetic Equipment
(Abstracted from Br J Anaesth, 118(6):862–869, 2017)
Environmental sustainability in anesthesia is gaining importance. Anesthetic equipment for airway management and ventilation can be reusable or single use/disposable, and the comparisons between the environmental effects (carbon dioxide [CO2] emissions, water use, etc) of reusables and single-use equipment are more complex and dependent particularly upon the source of energy (eg, coal, renewables) to manufacture or clean the equipment. (Source: Survey of Anesthesiology)
Source: Survey of Anesthesiology - October 1, 2017 Category: Anesthesiology Tags: Miscellaneous Source Type: research
Apneic Oxygenation: Let’s All Just Take a Deep Breath
(Abstracted from Can J Anaesth, 64(4):358–360, 2017)
The diffusion of oxygen into the lungs without ventilation is known as apneic oxygenation and was first highlighted in 1959. The article by Wong et al1 assessed the effectiveness of apneic oxygenation with a narrative review examining 19 studies of apneic oxygenation in varied cohorts. (Source: Survey of Anesthesiology)
Source: Survey of Anesthesiology - October 1, 2017 Category: Anesthesiology Tags: Miscellaneous Source Type: research
Thromboelastography (TEG) or Rotational Thromboelastometry (ROTEM) to Monitor Haemostatic Treatment in Bleeding Patients: A Systematic Review With Meta-analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis
(Abstracted from Anaesthesia, 72:519–531, 2017)
Impaired hemostasis and bleeding lead to morbidity and mortality. Monitoring dynamic changes of hemostasis with thromboelastography (TEG) or rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) reduces bleeding and the use of blood products, hence lowering the risk of hypovolemic shock and mortality. (Source: Survey of Anesthesiology)
Source: Survey of Anesthesiology - October 1, 2017 Category: Anesthesiology Tags: Techniques and Monitoring Source Type: research
Precision Medicine Versus Procrustean Beds
(Abstracted from Anesth Analg, 124(4):1032–1034, 2017)
This editorial reviews the article by Iravani et al.1 (“Standardized Care Versus Precision Medicine in the Perioperative Setting: Can Point-of-Care Testing Help Bridge the Gap?”) that eschews the “one-size-fits-all” approach to perioperative clinical care instead of going the way of precision medicine. (Source: Survey of Anesthesiology)
Source: Survey of Anesthesiology - October 1, 2017 Category: Anesthesiology Tags: Techniques and Monitoring Source Type: research
Standardized Care Versus Precision Medicine in the Perioperative Setting: Can Point-of-Care Testing Help Bridge the Gap?
(Abstracted from Anesth Analg, 124(4):1347–1353, 2017)
In perioperative setting, precision medicine targets the patient's inherent genetic and environmental variability to achieve an individualized approach to health care, whereas standardized care pathways and protocols aim at decreasing variability of care at the systemic and practitioner level. The current article aims at understanding precision medicine and outlining an implementation procedure in the perioperative setting. (Source: Survey of Anesthesiology)
Source: Survey of Anesthesiology - October 1, 2017 Category: Anesthesiology Tags: Techniques and Monitoring Source Type: research
Cricoid Pressure Controversies: Narrative Review
(Abstracted from Anesthesiology, 126(4):738–752, 2017)
This narrative review summarizes and addresses the effectiveness, controversies, and potential complications associated with the use of cricoid pressure (CP) in clinical practice. B. A. Sellick, who devised this maneuver in 1961, demonstrated that firm CP on a cadaver prevented stomach contents being regurgitated to the pharynx even with prior stomach distension (with water) and maintaining the steep Trendelenburg tilt. (Source: Survey of Anesthesiology)
Source: Survey of Anesthesiology - October 1, 2017 Category: Anesthesiology Tags: Techniques and Monitoring Source Type: research
Determination of Perioperative Blood Loss: Accuracy or Approximation?
(Abstracted from Anesth Analg, 125(1):280–286, 2017)
The purpose of this research was to evaluate the accuracy of different perioperative blood loss calculation methods from previous clinical trials with new formulas. With more complex surgeries happening, blood loss is a major cause for adverse events; hence, a criterion standard to estimate blood loss and manage it becomes crucial to optimize patient outcomes. (Source: Survey of Anesthesiology)
Source: Survey of Anesthesiology - October 1, 2017 Category: Anesthesiology Tags: Techniques and Monitoring Source Type: research
Intraoperative Ketorolac Dose of 15 mg Versus the Standard 30 mg on Early Postoperative Pain After Spine Surgery: A Randomized, Blinded, Non-inferiority Trial
(Abstracted from J Clin Anesth, 41:11–15, 2017)
Opioids are used for acute postoperative pain management despite significant disadvantages (nausea, vomiting, ileus, urinary retention, excess sedation, and respiratory depression) associated with their use. Nonsedating nonopioid analgesic agents, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, are a prospective alternative treatment for pain after surgery. (Source: Survey of Anesthesiology)
Source: Survey of Anesthesiology - October 1, 2017 Category: Anesthesiology Tags: Techniques and Monitoring Source Type: research
Safe Performance of Peripheral Regional Anaesthesia: The Significance of Ultrasound Guidance
(Abstracted from Anaesthesia, 72(4):431–434, 2017)
Ultrasound guidance has contributed toward making regional anaesthesia safer. Sermeus et al1 (“Ultrasound-Guided Approach to Nerves [Direct vs. Tangential] and the Incidence of Intraneural Injection: A Cadaveric Study”) evaluated the safety of ultrasound guidance in regional anaesthesia by comparing tangential and direct needle-to-nerve approach in nerve puncture and intraneural injection. (Source: Survey of Anesthesiology)
Source: Survey of Anesthesiology - October 1, 2017 Category: Anesthesiology Tags: Regional Anesthesia and Pain Control Source Type: research
Ultrasound-Guided Approach to Nerves (Direct vs. Tangential) and the Incidence of Intraneural Injection: A Cadaveric Study
(Abstracted from Anaesthesia, 72(4):461–469, 2017)
Nerve puncture and/or intraneural injection, resulting from peripheral nerve block, is of major concern for every anesthetist, prevention of which could avoid long-term neurological complications. This cadaveric study evaluated the incidence of intraneural puncture and injection on the basis of direct and tangential approach to the nerves. (Source: Survey of Anesthesiology)
Source: Survey of Anesthesiology - October 1, 2017 Category: Anesthesiology Tags: Regional Anesthesia and Pain Control Source Type: research
