Anesthesiology 9 2015, Vol.123, 542-547 Authors: Martin Neukirchen NM et al Background: Impaired cardiac repolarization, indicated by prolonged QT interval, may cause critical ventricular arrhythmias. Many anesthetics increase the QT interval by blockade of rapidly acting potassium rectifier channels. Although xenon does not affect these channels in isolated cardiomyocytes, the authors hypothesized that xenon increases the QT […]
Read MoreAnesthesiology 9 2015, Vol.123, 535-541 Authors: David B. Auyong MD et al Background: Despite ultrasound guidance for central line placement, complications persist, as exact needle location is often difficult to confirm with standard two-dimension ultrasound. A novel real-time needle guidance technology has recently become available (eZono, Germany) that tracks the needle during insertion. This randomized, blinded, crossover study examined […]
Read MoreAuthors: Appelboam A et al., Lancet 2015 Aug 24; A simple modification in the Valsalva maneuver dramatically increased its effectiveness. The Valsalva maneuver is recommended first-line treatment for stable patients with supraventricular tachycardia, although it is successful in only a minority of patients. These authors tested whether a modified Valsalva maneuver can improve cardioversion rates. In a […]
Read MoreAnesthesiology 10 2015, Vol.123, 810-819 Authors: Creed M. Stary, MD, PhD et al Background: Isoflurane induces cell death in neurons undergoing synaptogenesis via increased production of pro-brain–derived neurotrophic factor (proBDNF) and activation of postsynaptic p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR). Astrocytes express p75NTR, but their role in neuronal p75NTR-mediated cell death remains unclear. The authors investigated whether astrocytes have the capacity […]
Read MoreAnesthesiology 9 2015, Vol.123, 524-534 Authors: Chris H. Martini MD et al ; Background: A novel multidimensional index of nociception, the nociception level (NoL) index, derived from the nonlinear composite of heart rate (HR), HR variability, amplitude of the photoplethysmogram, skin conductance, fluctuations in skin conductance, and their time derivatives, was used to assess nociception during anesthesia. Methods: Seventy-two […]
Read MoreAnesthesiology 9 2015, Vol.123, 515-523 Authors: Louise Y. Sun MD, PhD, et al Background: Intraoperative hypotension (IOH) may be associated with postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI), but the duration of hypotension for triggering harm is unclear. The authors investigated the association between varying periods of IOH with mean arterial pressure (MAP) less than 55, less than 60, and […]
Read MoreAnesthesiology 9 2015, Vol.123, 507-514 Authors: Eric C. Sun MD, PhD et al Background: Markets for physician services are becoming increasingly concentrated, with many areas being dominated by a few groups. Antitrust authorities are concerned that increasing concentration will lead to inappropriately high payments for physician services from private insurers. The authors examined the association between market concentration […]
Read MoreAnesthesiology 9 2015, Vol.123, 501-503 Authors: Goran Hedenstierna MD PhD Mechanical ventilation may cause harm to the lung, at least if the lung is already hurt as is the case in intensive care. Can it be harmful also when ventilating the “lung-healthy” patient during anesthesia? Probably not during anesthesia alone, as suggested by animal experiments on […]
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 MoreA noninvasive wearable nerve stimulator improves pain to the point of needing less analgesia in patients with neuropathy, arthritis, and other common forms of chronic pain, a new study shows. “Our data suggest, and this is mimicked anecdotally, that this device works for about eight out of 10 people,” said Shai Gozani, MD, PhD, president […]
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