Authors: Benjamin J. Marsh, MD et al Anesthesiology August 2022. Background Increasing wildfire activity worldwide has led to exposure to poor air quality and numerous detrimental health impacts. This study hypothesized an association between exposure to poor air quality from wildfire smoke and adverse respiratory events under general anesthesia in pediatric patients. Methods This was […]
Read MoreAuthors: Luis Sequera-Ramos, M.D. et al Anesthesiology August 2022 Background Sedated and awake tracheal intubation approaches are considered safest in adults with difficult airways, but little is known about the outcomes of sedated intubations in children. The primary aim of our study is to compare the first attempt success rate of tracheal intubation during sedated […]
Read MoreAuthors: Francesco Zarantonello, M.D. et al Anesthesiology September 2022, Vol. 137, 327–339. Background The mechanisms underlying oxygenation improvement after prone positioning in COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome have not been fully elucidated yet. The authors hypothesized that the oxygenation increase with prone positioning is secondary to the improvement of ventilation-perfusion matching. Methods In a series of […]
Read MoreAuthors: Mats Enlund, M.D., Ph.D. et al Anesthesiology September 2022, Vol. 137, 315–326. Background Several retrospective studies using administrative or single-center data have failed to show any difference between general anesthesia using propofol versus inhaled volatiles on long-term survival after breast cancer surgery. Although randomized controlled trials are ongoing, validated data from national clinical registries may advance the […]
Read MoreCardiac Anesthesiologist All modes will require setting positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). PEEP represents the lowest airway pressure that the lung will be allowed to fall to on end exhalation. It is commonly misunderstood as pushing air back into the lung on exhalation, when in fact it is more akin to providing a bottom limit to the […]
Read MoreAuthors: Mary Lyn Stein, M.D. et al Anesthesiology August 2022. To the Editor: We read with interest the 2022 America Society of Anesthesiologists Practice Guidelines for Management of the Difficult Airway by Apfelbaum et al. We applaud the authors’ efforts and, in particular, the inclusion of a pediatric-specific algorithm for the first time. We question the […]
Read MoreAuthor: James R. Nielsen, F.A.N.Z.C.A. et al Anesthesiology August 2022. To the Editor: The new American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Difficult Airway Guidelines shift a paradigm on mask ventilation: the definition of difficulty now emphasizes patient outcome. Previous literature focused on the complexity of this procedure for the clinician—as the word “difficulty” implies. The ASA update rightly redirects […]
Read MoreAuthors: Jeffrey L. Apfelbaum, M.D. et al Anesthesiology Newly Published on August 2022 In Reply: We thank the authors for their letters addressing the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Practice Guidelines on Management of the Difficult Airway published in January 2022. Regarding the letter from Drs. Nielsen and Lim addressing mask ventilation, we respectfully disagree with […]
Read MoreAuthor: Uday Jain, BSEE, MD, PhD, FASA ASA Monitor August 2022, Vol. 86, 24. Toxic plumes, the contents of which include viruses, aerosols, and volatile organic compounds, are produced by vaporization of tissue by electrocautery or laser surgery (Dermatol 2021;62:37-40). Inhalation carries infectious, respiratory, and cardiovascular risks. Surgical masks provide some protection, but N95 respirators are […]
Read MoreAuthors: Barry Swerdlow, MD, FASA; Harriet W. Hopf, MD, FUHM, FASA ASA Monitor August 2022, Vol. 86, 23. Anesthesiologists and patients are at risk for cross-contamination and cross-infection during routine clinical care (Clinical Anesthesia. 2017; Anesth Analg 2020;131:37-42; Curr Anesthesiol Rep 2020;10:233-41; J Anesth 2020;34:575-84). The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic emphasized the risk of such perioperative transmission (Anesth Analg 2020;131:37-42; Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth […]
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