Month: August 2017

Uncategorized Published - 11 August, 2017    By - Dr Clemens
Frequency and Type of Situational Awareness Errors Contributing to Death and Brain Damage: A Closed Claims Analysis

Authors: Christian M. Schulz, M.D. et al Anesthesiology 8 2017, Vol.127, 326-337. Background: Situational awareness errors may play an important role in the genesis of patient harm. The authors examined closed anesthesia malpractice claims for death or brain damage to determine the frequency and type of situational awareness errors. Methods: Surgical and procedural anesthesia death and brain damage […]

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Uncategorized Published - 11 August, 2017    By - Dr Clemens
Venous Thromboembolism Prevention: The Evidence for Aspirin?

Author: Ronald J. Gordon, M.D., Ph.D. Anesthesiology 8 2017, Vol.127, 401. To the Editor: I read with interest the study published recently by Eikelboom et al.1 in Anesthesiology. Because venous thromboembolism (VTE) is infrequently discussed in the anesthesia literature and is the leading cause of preventable death in surgical patients, certain aspects of the publication by Eikelboom et al.1  merit […]

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Uncategorized Published - 11 August, 2017    By - Dr Clemens
Extended-Release Tramadol May Ease Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms

Extended-release tramadol may help reduce withdrawal symptoms in patients being treated for opioid use disorder, according to a JAMA Psychiatry study partly funded by industry. Roughly 100 adults with opioid use disorder were stabilized with morphine for 7–10 days in a residential research facility. During the subsequent 7-day taper phase, they were randomized to receive clonidine, buprenorphine, […]

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Uncategorized Published - 11 August, 2017    By - Dr Clemens
Low-dose, Nontitrated Dexmedetomidine Trials: Clarifying Possible Coenrollment

Author: Michael C. Reade, M.B.B.S., D.Phil. Anesthesiology 8 2017, Vol.127, 398. To the Editor: In the November 2016 issue of Anesthesiology, Wu et al.1  reported the results of their randomized controlled trial of low-dose (0.1 µg kg−1 h−1, nontitrated) dexmedetomidine in 76 nonmechanically ventilated noncardiac surgery patients aged 65 yr or older (an off-label use), in which dexmedetomidine was […]

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Uncategorized Published - 11 August, 2017    By - Dr Clemens
Nocturnal Dexmedetomidine in Nonintubated, Critically Ill Patients: Sleep or Sedation?

Authors: Haley Goucher Miranda, M.D. et al Anesthesiology 8 2017, Vol.127, 397-398. To the Editor: In November 2016’s issue of Anesthesiology, Wu et al., in their article “Low-dose Dexmedetomidine Improves Sleep Quality Pattern in Elderly Patients after Noncardiac Surgery in the Intensive Care Unit: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial,”1  demonstrated polysomnographic improvement in sleep in patients treated with […]

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Uncategorized Published - 10 August, 2017    By - Dr Clemens
Predicting Perioperative Transfusion in Elective Hip and Knee Arthroplasty: A Validated Predictive Model

Authors: Josephine To, B.Pharm. et al Anesthesiology 8 2017, Vol.127, 317-325. Background: Preoperative anemia is a significant predictor of perioperative erythrocyte transfusion in elective arthroplasty patients. However, interactions with other patient and procedure characteristics predicting transfusion requirements have not been well studied. Methods: Patients undergoing elective primary total hip arthroplasty or total knee arthroplasty at a tertiary hospital […]

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Uncategorized Published - 10 August, 2017    By - Dr Clemens
Blind Intubation through Self-pressurized, Disposable Supraglottic Airway Laryngeal Intubation Masks: An International, Multicenter, Prospective Cohort Study

Authors: Kurt Ruetzler, M.D. et al Anesthesiology 8 2017, Vol.127, 307-316 Background: Supraglottic airway devices commonly are used for securing the airway during general anesthesia. Occasionally, intubation with an endotracheal tube through a supraglottic airway is indicated. Reported success rates for blind intubation range from 15 to 97%. The authors thus investigated as their primary outcome the […]

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Uncategorized Published - 10 August, 2017    By - Dr Clemens
Left Lateral Table Tilt for Elective Cesarean Delivery under Spinal Anesthesia Has No Effect on Neonatal Acid–Base Status: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Authors: Allison J. Lee, M.D. et al Anesthesiology 8 2017, Vol.127, 241-249. Background: Current recommendations for women undergoing cesarean delivery include 15° left tilt for uterine displacement to prevent aortocaval compression, although this degree of tilt is practically never achieved. We hypothesized that under contemporary clinical practice, including a crystalloid coload and phenylephrine infusion targeted at maintaining […]

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Uncategorized Published - 10 August, 2017    By - Dr Clemens
A Prospective Study of Age-dependent Changes in Propofol-induced Electroencephalogram Oscillations in Children

Authors: Johanna M. Lee, A.B. et al Anesthesiology 8 2017, Vol.127, 293-306. Background: In adults, frontal electroencephalogram patterns observed during propofol-induced unconsciousness consist of slow oscillations (0.1 to 1 Hz) and coherent alpha oscillations (8 to 13 Hz). Given that the nervous system undergoes significant changes during development, anesthesia-induced electroencephalogram oscillations in children may differ from those […]

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Uncategorized Published - 10 August, 2017    By - Dr Clemens
Pupillometry-guided Intraoperative Remifentanil Administration versus Standard Practice Influences Opioid Use: A Randomized Study

Authors: Nada Sabourdin, M.D. et al Anesthesiology 8 2017, Vol.127, 284-292. Background: Pupillometry has shown promising results for assessing nociception in anesthetized patients. However, its benefits in clinical practice are not demonstrated. The aim of this prospective randomized study was to evaluate the impact of intraoperative pupillometry monitoring on perioperative opioid consumption in major gynecologic surgery. Methods: After […]

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