Author: Dr Clemens

Uncategorized Published - 1 March, 2017    By - Dr Clemens
Spontaneous Breathing during Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Acute Respiratory Failure

Authors: Stefania Crotti, M.D. et al Anesthesiology February 23, 2017. Background: We evaluate the clinical feasibility of spontaneous breathing on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and the interactions between artificial and native lungs in patients bridged to lung transplant or with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or acute respiratory distress syndrome. Methods: The clinical […]

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Uncategorized Published - 1 March, 2017    By - Dr Clemens
Adding Examples to the ASA-Physical Status Classification Improves Correct Assignment to Patients

Authors: Erin E. Hurwitz, M.D. et al Anesthesiology February 23, 2017 Background: Despite its widespread use, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA)-Physical Status Classification System has been shown to result in inconsistent assignments among anesthesiologists. The ASA-Physical Status Classification System is also used by nonanesthesia-trained clinicians and others. In 2014, the ASA developed and approved […]

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Uncategorized Published - 1 March, 2017    By - Dr Clemens
The Anesthesia Professional’s Role in Patient Safety During TAVR (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement)

The Anesthesia Professional’s Role in Patient Safety During TAVR (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement)  “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” Benjamin Franklin Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) is quickly becoming an everyday procedure seen in operating rooms and cardiac catheterization suites throughout the country. With aortic stenosis being one of the most common […]

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Uncategorized Published - 1 March, 2017    By - Dr Clemens
2016 National Geriatric Surgical Initiatives

By Jeffrey Huang, MD This has been a landmark year for geriatrics focused perioperative care and for research highlighting the role of cognitive health on postoperative recovery among older adults. The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Committee on Geriatric Anesthesia has expanded to have an educational track to provide content for the annual meeting and […]

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Uncategorized Published - 1 March, 2017    By - Dr Clemens
Implanted Cardiac Devices Pass an MRI Test

By Mark S. Link, MD Dr. Link is deputy editor with NEJM Journal Watch Cardiology, from which this story was adapted. Full coverage is available at the link below. Patients with conventional pacemakers or implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) who underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) generally fared well, challenging conventional wisdom, suggests a New England Journal of Medicine study. […]

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Uncategorized Published - 28 February, 2017    By - Dr Clemens
Intraabdominal Surgery and Anesthesia Management

Author: John Hedley-Whyte, M.D., F.A.C.P., F.R.C.A., M.R.C.S. Anesthesiology 3 2017, Vol.126, 543-546. Inspired Oxygenation in Surgical Patients During General Anesthesia With Controlled Ventilation: A Concept of Atelectasis. By Bendixen HH, Hedley-Whyte J, and Laver MB. New Engl J Med 1963; 269:991–996. Reprinted with permission. Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine if the pattern of […]

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Uncategorized Published - 28 February, 2017    By - Dr Clemens
Influence of Ethanol on Oxycodone-induced Respiratory Depression: A Dose-escalating Study in Young and Elderly Individuals

Authors: Rutger van der Schrier, M.D. et al Anesthesiology 3 2017, Vol.126, 534-542. Background: Respiratory depression is a potentially fatal complication of opioid use, which may be exacerbated by simultaneous ethanol intake. In this three-way sequential crossover dose-escalating study, the influence of coadministration of oral oxycodone and intravenous ethanol was assessed on resting ventilation, apneic events and […]

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Uncategorized Published - 28 February, 2017    By - Dr Clemens
Comparison of the Prognostic Significance of Initial Blood Lactate and Base Deficit in Trauma Patients

Authors: Mathieu Raux, M.D., Ph.D. et al Anesthesiology 3 2017, Vol.126, 522-533. Background: Initial blood lactate and base deficit have been shown to be prognostic biomarkers in trauma, but their respective performances have not been compared. Methods: Blood lactate levels and base deficit were measured at admission in trauma patients in three level 1 trauma centers. This was […]

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Uncategorized Published - 28 February, 2017    By - Dr Clemens
A Perioperative Systems Design to Improve Intraoperative Glucose Monitoring Is Associated with a Reduction in Surgical Site Infections in a Diabetic Patient Population

Authors: Jesse M. Ehrenfeld, M.D., M.P.H. et al Anesthesiology 3 2017, Vol.126, 431-440. Background: Diabetic patients receiving insulin should have periodic intraoperative glucose measurement. The authors conducted a care redesign effort to improve intraoperative glucose monitoring. Methods: With approval from Vanderbilt University Human Research Protection Program (Nashville, Tennessee), the authors created an automatic system to identify diabetic patients, […]

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Uncategorized Published - 28 February, 2017    By - Dr Clemens
Dexmedetomidine Disrupts the Local and Global Efficiencies of Large-scale Brain Networks

Authors: Javeria A. Hashmi, Ph.D. et al Anesthesiology 3 2017, Vol.126, 419-430. Background: A clear understanding of the neural basis of consciousness is fundamental to research in clinical and basic neuroscience disciplines and anesthesia. Recently, decreased efficiency of information integration was suggested as a core network feature of propofol-induced unconsciousness. However, it is unclear whether this finding […]

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