Authors: McCarthy ML et al., Ann Emerg Med 2015 Oct 13; A large trial shows that ultrasound helps with moderate or difficult anticipated IV access when lines are placed by emergency department technicians. Multiple small studies since 2005 have shown that ultrasound guidance improves success of peripheral intravenous (IV) line placement when access is difficult. These researchers […]
Read MorePatients who had emergency general surgery are at high risk for readmission within 30 days of their hospitalizations due to surgical-site infections and gastrointestinal complications, according to new research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Surgery. Joaquim M. Havens, M.D., of Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston and colleagues examined factors for 30-day readmissions of […]
Read MoreAlthough opioids are frequently prescribed to treat chronic lower back pain, new research suggests these powerful medications may be less effective in some patients. A study published in the Online First edition of Anesthesiology, the official medical journal of the American Society of Anesthesiologists® (ASA®), found patients who were prescribed opioids to treat chronic lower back […]
Read MoreAuthors: Kelly A. Pollak, MD et al Anesthesiology 11 2015, Vol.123, 1133-1141. Background: The authors examined changes in the frequency of pain medicine malpractice claims and associated treatment modalities and outcomes over time. Methods: The authors analyzed trends in pain medicine claims from 1980 to 2012 in the Anesthesia Closed Claims Project database by binary logistic regression on year […]
Read MoreAuthors: Shun Kohsaka MD et al Anesthesiology published on 10 2015 Background: The authors evaluated the effect of preoperative β-blocker use on early outcomes in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in Japan. Methods: The authors analyzed 34,980 cases of isolated CABGs, performed between 2008 and 2011, at the 333 sites recorded in the Japanese Cardiovascular Surgical Database. […]
Read MoreAuthors: Regina P. Schukro MD et al Anesthesiology published on 10 2015 Background: Among patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP), approximately 37% show signs of a neuropathic pain component (radicular pain). Treatment of this condition remains challenging. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate the efficacy of duloxetine in the treatment of CLBP patients with neuropathic leg […]
Read MoreAuthors: Marianne Myhre MD et al Anesthesiology published on 11 2015 Background: Pregabalin is widely used perioperatively. The authors explored the effects of pregabalin, remifentanil, and their combination on experimental pain, ventilatory, and cognitive function. Methods: In a randomized, double-blinded crossover study, 12 volunteers received (1) pregabalin + placebo, (2) placebo + remifentanil, (3) pregabalin + remifentanil, and (4) […]
Read MoreAuthors: Carlo Olivieri MD, et al Anesthesiology Newly Published on 11 2015 Background: The helmet is a well-tolerated interface for noninvasive ventilation, although it is associated with poor patient–ventilator interaction. A new helmet (NH) has proven to attenuate this limitation of the standard helmet (SH) in both bench study and healthy volunteers. The authors compared a NH and […]
Read MoreAuthors: Jean Guglielminotti MD PhD et al Anesthesiology 11 2015, Vol.123, 1013-1023 Background: Cesarean delivery (CD) is associated with significantly increased risks of anesthesia-related adverse events (ARAEs) and nonanesthetic perioperative morbidity compared with vaginal delivery. Temporal trends in these adverse outcomes remain unknown despite efforts to improve maternal safety. This study examines temporal trends in ARAEs and […]
Read MoreBoth acupuncture and the Alexander Technique can improve chronic neck pain, according to a study in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Over 500 U.K. patients with nonspecific neck pain of at least 3 months’ duration were randomized to one of three strategies: 12 acupuncture sessions plus usual care, 20 one-to-one Alexander Technique lessons plus usual care, […]
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