Stephanie R. Sibal, MSN, RN, HACP ASA Monitor 05 2017, Vol.81, 40-41. Stephanie R. Sibal, MSN, RN, HACP, is Quality Manager, Anesthesia Associates of Boise, Idaho. Collection of data is all well and good, but improvement in patient outcomes requires the ability to turn information into action. The AQI Practice Quality Improvement Committee (PQIC) will collect […]
Read MoreAuthors: Sin B et al., J Emerg Med 2017 Mar 6; Morphine plus ketamine performed better than morphine alone in this randomized, double-blind study. Researchers performed a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of subdissociative dose ketamine as an adjunct to morphine for acute pain. Sixty adult patients presenting to a level II […]
Read MoreThe American College of Cardiology, together with the American Heart Association and the Heart Failure Society of America, have issued the second part of their guideline update on heart failure management. The first part was issued in May 2016. The new update includes the following strong recommendations based on high-quality evidence: Natriuretic peptide biomarkers should […]
Read MoreAuthors: Pierre Albaladejo, M.D., Ph.D. et al Anesthesiology published on April 20, 2017. Background: The use of prothrombin complex concentrates and the role of plasma concentration of anticoagulants in the management of bleeding in patients treated with direct oral anticoagulants are still debated. Our aim was to describe management strategies and outcomes of severe bleeding events in […]
Read MoreAuthors: Pickering JW et al., Ann Intern Med 2017 Apr 18; However, samples for the troponin assay should be drawn at least 3 hours after symptom onset, and a positive troponin does not rule in acute myocardial infarction. Several studies have demonstrated the potential utility of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) assays combined with electrocardiograms (ECGs) in […]
Read MoreAuthors: Emine Ozgur Bayman, Ph.D. et al Anesthesiology 5 2017, Vol.126, 938-951. Background: The goal of this study was to detect the predictors of chronic pain at 6 months after thoracic surgery from a comprehensive evaluation of demographic, psychosocial, and surgical factors. Methods: Thoracic surgery patients were enrolled 1 week before surgery and followed up 6 months postsurgery […]
Read MoreAuthors: Daniel S. Rubin, M.D. et al Anesthesiology 5 2017, Vol.126, 810-821. Background: Ischemic optic neuropathy is the most common form of perioperative visual loss, with highest incidence in cardiac and spinal fusion surgery. To date, potential risk factors have been identified in cardiac surgery by only small, single-institution studies. To determine the preoperative risk factors for […]
Read MoreAuthors: Candela Solé-Lleonart, M.D. et al Anesthesiology 5 2017, Vol.126, 890-908. Background: Nebulization of antiinfective agents is a common but unstandardized practice in critically ill patients. Methods: A systematic review of 1,435 studies was performed in adults receiving invasive mechanical ventilation. Two different administration strategies (adjunctive and substitute) were considered clinically relevant. Inclusion was restricted to studies using […]
Read MoreAuthors: Jean-Christophe Orban, M.D., Ph.D. et al Anesthesiology 5 2017, Vol.126, 882-889 Background: Different modes of death are described in selected populations, but few data report the characteristics of death in a general intensive care unit population. This study analyzed the causes and characteristics of death of critically ill patients and compared anticipated death patients to unexpected […]
Read MoreAuthors: Glenn S. Murphy, M.D. et al Anesthesiology 5 2017, Vol.126, 822-833. Background: Patients undergoing spinal fusion surgery often experience severe pain during the first three postoperative days. The aim of this parallel-group randomized trial was to assess the effect of the long-duration opioid methadone on postoperative analgesic requirements, pain scores, and patient satisfaction after complex spine […]
Read More