It is disturbingly common, dangerously lethal and difficult to diagnose, yet propofol-related infusion syndrome (PRIS) may be detected before it happens, given proper vigilance by anesthesiologists. Indeed, research has found a positive correlation between the duration of propofol infusion and increasing triglyceride (TG) levels, which may indicate onset of the deadly complication. “Obviously, propofol has […]
Read MoreAnesthesia & Analgesia: February 2016 – Volume 122 – Issue 2 – p 462–469 AUTHORS: Ice, Calvin J. PharmD et al BACKGROUND: The reported incidence of hypotension and bradycardia in patients receiving dexmedetomidine for sedation commonly exceeds 50%. In this study, we describe the incidence of, patient- and treatment-specific risk factors for, and clinical significance […]
Read MoreDigital subtraction angiography (DSA) has been touted as a radiologic adjunct to interventional neuraxial procedures where it is imperative to identify vascular compromise during the injection. Transforaminal epidural steroid injections (TFESI) are commonly performed interventions for treating acute and chronic radicular spine pain. We present a case of instantaneous and irreversible paraplegia following lumbar TFESI […]
Read MoreThe US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) recent announcement that it would re-evaluate its labeling and review policies for opioids seems to be largely a political move designed to fend off congressional critics, say pain management and addiction medicine specialists. The agency’s action plan, announced on February 4, included a call for a re-examination of the risk-benefit […]
Read MoreAnesthesia & Analgesia: March 2016 – Volume 122 – Issue 3 – p 753–757 AUTHORS: Turkstra, Timothy P. MD, MEng, FRCPC et al BACKGROUND: The GlideScope videolaryngoscope is an intubating device routinely used by anesthesiologists for tracheal intubation. It is occasionally difficult to advance the endotracheal tube (ETT) into the trachea, despite a good view […]
Read MoreAnesthesia & Analgesia: January 14, 2016 AUTHORS: Frederick, Heather J. MD et al BACKGROUND: The cause of emergence agitation (EA) in children is unknown. Rapid emergence from inhaled anesthesia has been implicated because EA is more common with sevoflurane than with halothane. A dose-dependent effect of sevoflurane, which increases seizure-like electroencephalogram activity, has also been […]
Read MoreAnesthesia & Analgesia: January 14, 2016 AUTHORS: Gulec, Ersel MD et al BACKGROUND: Dexamethasone has been shown to cause inhibition of sugammadex reversal in functionally innervated human muscle cells. In this prospective, double-blind, randomized, controlled study, we evaluated the effect of dexamethasone on the reversal time of sugammadex in children undergoing tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy. METHODS: […]
Read MoreAnesthesia & Analgesia: January 14, 2016 AUTHORS: Henshaw, Daryl S. MD et al BACKGROUND: Unicondylar knee arthroplasty (UKA) is a commonly performed procedure with significant expected postoperative pain. Peripheral nerve blocks are 1 analgesic option, but some approaches may decrease quadriceps motor strength and interfere with early ambulation. In this study, we compared the analgesia […]
Read MoreEpidural steroid injections cut medical spending by 16.4% in some patients with low back pain, a new study suggests. The award-winning research presented here at the American Academy of Pain Medicine (AAPM) 2016 Annual Meeting found that these injections, which have been shown to improve pain and disability in patients with low back pain, were […]
Read MoreAnesthesiology published on 02 2016 Authors: Antoine Monsel, M.D., M.Sc. et al Background: Patients undergoing major vascular surgery often develop postoperative pneumonia that impacts their outcomes. Conflicting data exist concerning the potential benefit of tapered-shaped cuffs on tracheal sealing. The primary objective of this study was to assess the efficiency of a polyvinyl chloride tapered-cuff endotracheal tube […]
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