ASA Monitor August 2024, Vol. 88, 23. You obtain consent for general anesthesia from your patient with treatment-resistant major depression undergoing electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Afterward, the patient asks about a ketamine infusion instead of ECT. According to a recent noninferiority trial comparing interventions for treatment-resistant major depression (without psychosis), which of the following outcomes is MOST […]

ASA Monitor August 2024, Vol. 88, 30. Improving cancer screening with extracellular vesicle imaging A new method for detecting cancer, combining PANORAMA imaging with fluorescent imaging, demonstrates a 98.7% accuracy rate and potential for detecting cancer in its earliest stages, potentially revolutionizing cancer diagnosis. This method allows researchers to examine nanometer-sized membrane sacs called extracellular vesicles […]

Authors: Julie G. Broussard, RPh, MD, FASA et al  ASA Monitor August 2024, Vol. 88, 21. When you went to medical school, did you ever think you’d be asked to join a union? If you are like us, neither did we – most of us did not think of ourselves as future members of a physician […]

We are seeking a dedicated anesthesiologist to join our all-anesthesiologist group. Our team will consist of 4 full-time providers and 1 for vacation relief, managing 3 operating rooms. Position Highlights: Zero call for 3 weeks, followed by 1 week of call without daytime work only call after 7 PM therefore you may not work the […]

AUTHORS: Vincent, Kathleen F. PhD et al Anesthesia & Analgesia August 07, 2024. BACKGROUND: Dexmedetomidine and ketamine have long elimination half-lives in humans and have no clinically approved reversal agents. Methylphenidate enhances dopaminergic and noradrenergic neurotransmission by inhibiting reuptake transporters for these arousal-promoting neurotransmitters. Previous studies in rats demonstrated that intravenous methylphenidate induces emergence from […]

Author: Jack H. Dillon, MBA, MSHR, MA ASA Monitor August 2024, Vol. 88, 20. The landscape of anesthesia practice is evolving, with a noticeable shift (or at least interest) toward independent practice models. This change is driven by various factors, including the desire for increased autonomy in one’s work, growing financial incentives, and the advantages […]

Authors: Barry D. Kussman, MBBCh, SM, FFA(SA); Stephen D. Brown, MD, FACR ASA Monitor August 2024, Vol. 88, e10–e11. Burnout remains a major unresolved and worsening problem for anesthesiologists (Anesthesiology 2024;140:38-51). In one recent survey, 67.7% of respondents reported high risk for burnout (emotional exhaustion and/or depersonalization), and 18.9% reported burnout syndrome (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and low […]

ASA Monitor August 2024, Vol. 88, 30. Immunotherapy response predicted by AI NIH researchers have developed an AI tool focused on immune checkpoint inhibitors capable of predicting cancer patients’ responses to immunotherapy using routine clinical data, such as blood tests. Traditionally, predictive biomarkers approved by the FDA, like tumor mutational burden and PD-L1, help identify candidates […]

AUTHORS: Choi, Una E. BA et al Anesthesia & Analgesia 139(2):p 254-261, August 2024.  BACKGROUND: Perioperative red blood cell (RBC) transfusions increase venous thromboembolic (VTE) events. Although a previous study found that plasma resuscitation after trauma was associated with increased VTE, the risk associated with additional perioperative plasma is unknown. METHODS: A US claims and […]

ASA Monitor August 2024, Vol. 88, 22. In a patient presenting for neurologic surgery, which of the following times would be MOST appropriate for administering chemoprophylaxis (using antiplatelet or antithrombotic agents) for venous thromboembolism (VTE)? (A) Two hours prior to the surgical procedure (B) 24 hours after the end of the surgical procedure (C) 96 hours […]