Intradiskal biacuplasty can provide patients who have diskogenic low back pain with long-term improvements in pain scores and physical function, a new Canadian study suggests. Investigators conducted a 12-month study to determine the effectiveness of intradiskal biacuplasty (IDB) combined with conventional medical management (CMM) versus CMM alone for the treatment of diskogenic low back pain […]
Read MoreAlthough prescribing benzodiazepines concurrently with opioid analgesics has been shown to raise the risk for fatal overdose, new research documents a risk that is four times that of opioids taken alone, and even at low doses. The new study was published online in the British Medical Journal (2015;350:h2698). Additionally, the authors found a dose-dependent association with overdose […]
Read MoreAnesthesiologists looking to achieve good needle visualization at steeper angles of insertion may get better results using echogenic needles with beam steering versus using these technologies individually, new research suggests. “Needle visualization is of utmost importance when providing regional anesthesia care and to provide a safe and efficacious block,” said Christopher Prabhakar, MD, lead study […]
Read MoreLithium (Li) absorption systems are equal to calcium (Ca) absorbers in their ability to scavenge nitrogen dioxide (NO2) when nitric oxide (NO) is administered via anesthesia systems in the cardiac lab or operating room, research suggests. The anesthesia systems are “semiclosed” to conserve anesthetic agents and require carbon dioxide (CO2) absorption to allow recirculation. As […]
Read MoreWhen maintaining light sedation in critically ill ICU patients, dexmedetomidine should be avoided in those predisposed to bradycardia and propofol in those predisposed to hypotension. While propofol and dexmedetomidine are the preferred sedative agents to maintain light sedation in the ICU, both sedatives leave critically ill patients at risk for hemodynamic adverse events, said Amy […]
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