A noninvasive, easy-to-administer sphenopalatine ganglion block relieves postdural puncture headache (PDPH) faster than an epidural blood patch in obstetric patients and has fewer adverse effects, new research shows. The block works so well in patients with PDPH that it should the considered the first line treatment in this population, said Preet Patel, MD, Department of […]
Read MoreAnesthesia & Analgesia: March 2016 AUTHORS: Buonanno, Pasquale MD, PhD et al BACKGROUND: Sugammadex is a relatively new molecule that reverses neuromuscular block induced by rocuronium. The particular structure of sugammadex traps the cyclopentanoperhydrophenanthrene ring of rocuronium in its hydrophobic cavity. Dexamethasone shares the same steroidal structure with rocuronium. Studies in vitro have demonstrated that […]
Read MoreAuthors: Lisbeth A. Evered, B.Sc. et al Anesthesiology published on 4 2016 Background:: Although postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is well described after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, a major concern has been that a progressive decline in cognition will ultimately lead to dementia. Since dementia interferes with the ability to carry out daily functions, the impact […]
Read MoreHealth care–associated infections (HAIs) remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Although the United States is doing a better job of preventing HAIs, more work is needed, especially in fighting antibiotic-resistant bacteria, public health officials said. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s latest Vital Signs report urges health care […]
Read MoreI thought this would had been obvious but someone decided they had to perform a study to document it. Surgeons who are paid the most by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid services (CMS) bill for five times the number of services as the lowest-paid surgeons, according to a study published online February 26 in Surgery. […]
Read MoreThe addition of capnography monitoring to standard of care during procedural sedation for endoscopic procedures provides a patient safety benefit, a study has found. According to the study, capnography reduced the proportion of patients experiencing greater than one adverse event (AE) by more than 27%. “Reductions in adverse events result in a reduced cost of […]
Read MoreBJA Education. 2016;16(2):53-57. Authors: D Mayhew MBBS BSc (Hons) FRCA et al Renal transplantation is increasing with 1930 transplants undertaken in the UK in 2013 compared with 1308 in 2005. This increase follows the NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) ‘Organs for Transplant’ initiative, and should continue rising as part of their ‘Taking Organ Transplant to […]
Read MoreA Role for a Multi-disciplinary Team Approach? Authors: A. R. Whiteman; J. K. Dhesi; D. Walker Br J Anaesth. 2016;116(3):311-314. Introduction There is a growing cohort of multimorbid, often frail and elderly patients who disproportionally suffer predictable complications, as a consequence of seeking surgical intervention.[1] A strong case for better Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) care during […]
Read MoreA National Pain Strategy that outlines the federal government’s first coordinated plan for reducing the burden of chronic pain has been released. The report, issued by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), comes on the heels of new opioid prescribing guidelines released recently by […]
Read MoreAnesthesia & Analgesia: April 2016 AUTHORS: Chau, Destiny F. MD et al BACKGROUND: Complex surgical and critically ill pediatric patients rely on syringe infusion pumps for precise delivery of IV medications. Low flow rates and in-line IV filter use may affect drug delivery. To determine the effects of an in-line filter to remove air and/or […]
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