NEJM Journal Watch By Kelly Young Edited by Jaye Elizabeth Hefner, MD Preliminary results regarding the use of remdesivir against novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) have been updated and published in the New England Journal of Medicine. (An earlier accounting, which we also reported here, led to the drug’s emergency approval by the FDA.) Over 1000 hospitalized patients […]
Read MoreAUTHORS: Zhang, Pengcheng MD et al Anesthesia & Analgesia: April 2020 – Volume 130 – Issue 4 – p 879-889 BACKGROUND: Whether intraoperative positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) can reduce the risk of postoperative pulmonary complications remains controversial. We performed a systematic review of currently available literature to investigate whether intraoperative PEEP decreases pulmonary complications in […]
Read MoreAUTHORS: Eley, Victoria A. PhD et al Anesthesia & Analgesia: April 2020 BACKGROUND: Obesity is a risk factor for surgical site infection after cesarean delivery. There is inadequate pharmacokinetic data available regarding prophylactic cefazolin dosing in obese pregnant women. We aimed to describe the plasma and interstitial fluid (ISF) pharmacokinetics of cefazolin in obese women […]
Read MoreAUTHORS: Burbridge, Mark A. MD Anesthesia & Analgesia: March 2020 BACKGROUND: Sugammadex is a modified cyclodextrin that is being increasingly used in anesthetic practice worldwide for the reversal of the aminosteroid neuromuscular blockers rocuronium and vecuronium. Its safety profile, however, is incompletely understood. One such aspect is the incidence of anaphylactic reactions that occur after […]
Read MoreAUTHORS: Sun, Yi MD et al Anesthesia & Analgesia: March 2020 BACKGROUND: Postoperative delirium is a major debilitating complication for patients and is associated with poor outcomes. Previous studies have suggested that excessive general anesthesia may lead to postoperative delirium. Electroencephalography (EEG)-based monitors have been administered in clinical practice in an attempt to deliver appropriate […]
Read MoreAUTHORS: Zieleskiewicz, Laurent MD et al Anesthesia & Analgesia: March 2020 BACKGROUND: Postoperative pulmonary complications are associated with increased morbidity. Identifying patients at higher risk for such complications may allow preemptive treatment. METHODS: Patients with an American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score >1 and who were scheduled for major surgery of >2 hours were enrolled […]
Read MoreAuthor: Michael Walter Cardiovascular Business News Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a safe, effective treatment for patients with bicuspid valves, according to research published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions. “Numerous large-scale and randomized clinical trials have demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of TAVR as compared with surgical aortic valve replacement,” wrote lead author John K. Forrest, MD, director […]
Read MoreAUTHORS: Yoon, Hyun-Kyu MD et al Anesthesia & Analgesia: April 2020 – Volume 130 – Issue 4 – p 870-878 BACKGROUND: Manual inline stabilization of the head and neck is a recommended maneuver for tracheal intubation in patients with a suspected cervical injury. However, because applying this maneuver inevitably restricts neck flexion and head extension, indirect […]
Read MoreAuthors: Subramaniam Balachundhar, MD, MPH, FASA and Preeti Upadhyay, MBBS, MPH Harvard Health Blog Cognition is an important function of the brain that enables us to acquire and process information, to enhance our understanding of thoughts, experiences, and our senses. Any condition that affects our ability to think, reason, memorize, or be attentive affects our […]
Read MoreAuthors: Robin Respaut and Deborah J. Nelson Reuters New diagnoses of one of the deadliest cancers fell by one-third in March and April as U.S. physicians and patients halted appointments and screenings during the COVID-19 outbreak. An empty hallway is pictured in a hospital in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania, U.S. May 30, 2017. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri Research […]
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