Authors: Laura K. Schnider, M.Sc. et al Anesthesiology November 2024. Background The locus coeruleus (LC) noradrenergic system may provide a potential new target for pharmacological insomnia treatment, particularly in patients suffering from elevated distress. The selective α2 noradrenergic agonist dexmedetomidine attenuates LC activity in sub-anesthetic doses, yet no adequate non-parental delivery systems of dexmedetomidine are currently […]
Read MoreAuthor: Patsy Newitt Becker’s ASC Review The American Society of Anesthesiologists and the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology have both issued responses to Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield’s recent reversal of a controversial anesthesia policy. The policy update would have introduced a new reimbursement structure based on CMS physician work time values. Claims exceeding these predetermined time […]
Read MoreASA Monitor December 2024, Vol. 88, 28–29. Shockwave Medical expands U.S. Peripheral IVL portfolio with enhanced catheter Shockwave Medical, Inc., part of Johnson & Johnson MedTech, announced the full U.S. launch of the Shockwave E8 Peripheral IVL Catheter, following clearance by the FDA. The Shockwave E8 catheter is designed to optimize the treatment of patients with calcified femoro-popliteal […]
Read MoreAuthors: Rory V. Mather, MS et al Anesthesiology November 2024. Background With estimated global post-operative mortality rates at 1-4% leading to approximately 3-12 million deaths per year, an urgent need exists for reliable measures of perioperative risk. Existing approaches suffer from poor performance, place a high burden on clinicians to gather data, or do not […]
Read MoreAuthor: Muhammad B. Rafique, MD, FASA ASA Monitor December 2024, Vol. 88, 13–14. He was a brilliant anesthesiologist at the top of his career when, one day, he could not intubate a neonate and was worried. The next day, his family thought he did not look well and took him to the emergency room. A CT […]
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