Authors: Farraj W. Abdallah, MD, et al Anesthesiology published 12 2015 Background: Perineural and IV dexmedetomidine have each been suggested to prolong the duration of analgesia when administered in conjunction with peripheral nerve blocks. In the first randomized, triple-masked, placebo-controlled trial to date, the authors aimed to define and compare the efficacy of perineural and IV dexmedetomidine in […]
Read MoreAuthors: Gregory Nuttall, MD, et al Anesthesiology published 12 2015. Background: Prior research has provided inconsistent data regarding the risk factors associated with complications from arterial cannulation. The goal of this study was to clearly define the incidence and risks factors associated with arterial cannulation complications. Methods: After obtaining institutional review board approval, all patients requiring arterial line placement […]
Read MorePatients will be able to get a 360-degree preview before a medical procedure Patients often suffer a great deal of anxiety in the moments leading up to a procedure. But what if an individual could scope out the ER, meet her surgeon, and feel out her surroundings months before an appointment? That scenario is becoming a virtual reality […]
Read MoreA report by the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons last May noted that “the past few decades have seen an alarming rise in opioid use in the United States,” that “a significant number of orthopaedic patients are at risk for the repercussions from both therapeutic and nontherapeutic opioid use,” and that “orthopaedic surgeons are […]
Read MorePublished in Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2015 Sep 20;9:CD006106. Authors: Hindocha A et al BACKGROUND: Hysterosalpingography (HSG) is a method of testing for tubal patency. However, women struggle to tolerate the procedure, as it is associated with some discomfort. Various pharmacological strategies are available that may reduce pain during the procedure, though there is no consensus as […]
Read MoreJ Neurosurg Anesthesiol, 2015 Sep Authors: Venkatraghavan L,et al BACKGROUND: Cerebral ischemia plays a major role in pathophysiology of the injured brain. Most of the currently available methods of cerebral blood flow (CBF) monitors are either indirect measure of CBF or needing radioactive agents for data acquisition. Arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance imaging (ASL-MRI) is a […]
Read MoreJ Neurosurg Anesthesiol. 2015 Sep Authors: Peng Y et al BACKGROUND: Perioperative lidocaine infusion has been reported to reduce postoperative pain in patients after abdominal surgery; however, no study has examined lidocaine’s effect on acute postoperative pain after supratentorial tumor surgery. METHODS: A total of 94 patients scheduled for supratentorial craniotomy were enrolled. Patients received either lidocaine […]
Read MoreResearchers are developing a tool they hope will quickly identify surgery patients at greatest risk for opioid-induced respiratory depression (OIRD). With this tool, hospital staff will be better equipped to more closely monitor at-risk patients, which should reduce adverse events, increase patient safety, and improve patient satisfaction, said lead author Nicole Humbert, PharmD, Trinity Hospital, […]
Read MoreOne of strongest testaments to the effect of the prescription drug abuse epidemic on clinical practice is the increase in state mandates for opioid or controlled substance agreements that clinicians are required to have patients sign when receiving opioid prescriptions. But such agreements are not without significant controversy, raising a host of ethical issues, said […]
Read MoreAuthors: Shopp JD et al. Acad Emerg Med 2015 Sep 22. A meta-analysis found that a Daniel Score >5 is associated with a higher probability of shock from PE. Treatments for hemodynamically stable patients with confirmed pulmonary embolism (PE) vary from outpatient anticoagulation to systemic fibrinolysis. Guidelines recommend that the choice of treatment be based on risk […]
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