Authors: Tong L et al. Journal: Anesthesiology, December 15, 2025. DOI: 10.1097/ALN.0000000000005903 SummaryThis preclinical study investigated the role of glutamatergic neurons in the dorsomedial periaqueductal gray (dmPAG) as a shared neural substrate regulating arousal and emergence across multiple general anesthetics. Although general anesthetics differ in molecular targets, the authors hypothesized that convergent brainstem circuitry may […]
Read MoreAuthor: Molly Gamble Becker’s Hospital Review Seven hundred fifty-six rural U.S. hospitals are at risk of closure due to financial problems, with more than 40% of those hospitals at immediate risk of closure. The counts are drawn from the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform’s most recent analysis, based on hospitals’ latest cost reports submitted […]
Read MoreAuthors: Wachtendorf LJ et al. Journal: Anesthesiology, December 4, 2025. DOI: 10.1097/ALN.0000000000005880 SummaryThis large retrospective cohort study evaluated how the introduction of sugammadex influenced intraoperative rocuronium dosing practices and whether these changes affected postoperative respiratory complications. Because sugammadex enables rapid reversal of even deep neuromuscular blockade, concerns have emerged that its availability may encourage higher […]
Read MoreAuthor: Francesca Mathewes Becker’s ASC Review Workforce shortages, reimbursement declines and costly inefficiencies were some of the biggest anesthesia-related issues for ASC leaders in 2025. While many of these issues will persist into 2026, here are the wins that ASC leaders shared with Becker’s throughout the last year: Staffing shortages The projected shortage of anesthesiologists by […]
Read MoreAuthors: Kang M et al. Journal: Anesthesiology, December 4, 2025. DOI: 10.1097/ALN.0000000000005875 SummaryThis prospective observational study evaluated whether preoperative saccadic eye movement tasks can serve as a noninvasive and accurate predictor of postoperative delirium (POD) in elderly patients undergoing arthroplasty. Given the limitations of traditional cognitive screening tools and invasive biomarker testing, the authors sought […]
Read More