By Thomas G. Ciccone Interview with Tor D. Wager, PhD Researchers from the University of Colorado have mapped the brain in people with fibromyalgia as they responded to painful stimuli. These images offer pain practitioners new insights into the neurophysiology of this condition. Historically, fibromyalgia (FM) lacks a definitive explanation for its underlying mechanisms of action,1 and has […]
Read MoreBy Charles E. Argoff, MD Given the complexity of chronic pain management, clinicians are challenged to move toward more rigorous assessment and individualized treatment to improve quality of life for all patients. In the pain management community, we are all too familiar with the statistic estimating that there are 100 million adults suffering from chronic pain […]
Read MoreAuthors: Stefania Crotti, M.D. et al Anesthesiology 4 2017, Vol.126, 678-687. Background: We evaluate the clinical feasibility of spontaneous breathing on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and the interactions between artificial and native lungs in patients bridged to lung transplant or with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or acute respiratory distress syndrome. Methods: The clinical course of […]
Read MoreAuthors: Andreas Duma, M.D., M.Sc. et al Anesthesiology 4 2017, Vol.126, 643-652. Background: While electroconvulsive therapy is widely regarded as a lifesaving and safe procedure, evidence regarding its effects on myocardial cell injury is sparse. The objective of this investigation was to determine the incidence and magnitude of new cardiac troponin elevation after electroconvulsive therapy using […]
Read MoreAuthors: Hagen Bomberg, M.D. et al Anesthesiology 4 2017, Vol.126, 631-642. Background: Presepsin (soluble cluster-of-differentiation 14 subtype [sCD14-ST]) is a humoral risk stratification marker for systemic inflammatory response syndrome and sepsis. It remains unknown whether presepsin can be used to stratify risk in elective cardiac surgery. The authors therefore determined the usefulness of presepsin for risk […]
Read MoreAuthors: George F. Chamoun et al Anesthesiology 4 2017, Vol.126, 623-630. Background: The Risk Stratification Index was developed from 35 million Medicare hospitalizations from 2001 to 2006 but has yet to be externally validated on an independent large national data set, nor has it been calibrated. Finally, the Medicare Analysis and Provider Review file now allows […]
Read MoreAuthors: Erin E. Hurwitz, M.D. et al Anesthesiology 4 2017, Vol.126, 614-622. Background: Despite its widespread use, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA)-Physical Status Classification System has been shown to result in inconsistent assignments among anesthesiologists. The ASA-Physical Status Classification System is also used by nonanesthesia-trained clinicians and others. In 2014, the ASA developed and approved examples […]
Read MoreAuthors: Daniel I. McIsaac, M.D., M.P.H., F.R.C.P.C. et al Anesthesiology 4 2017, Vol.126, 602-613. Background: Frailty is a risk factor for adverse postoperative outcomes. Hospitals that perform higher volumes of surgery have better outcomes than low-volume providers. We hypothesized that frail patients undergoing elective surgery at hospitals that cared for a higher volume of similarly frail patients […]
Read MoreAuthors: Viviane S. Hambrecht-Wiedbusch, Ph.D. et al Anesthesiology 3 2017, Vol.126, 482-494. Background: Promoting arousal by manipulating certain brain regions and/or neurotransmitters has been a recent research focus, with the goal of trying to improve recovery from general anesthesia. The current study tested the hypothesis that a single subanesthetic dose of ketamine during isoflurane anesthesia would increase […]
Read MoreAuthors: Rutger van der Schrier, M.D. et al Anesthesiology 3 2017, Vol.126, 534-542. Background: Respiratory depression is a potentially fatal complication of opioid use, which may be exacerbated by simultaneous ethanol intake. In this three-way sequential crossover dose-escalating study, the influence of coadministration of oral oxycodone and intravenous ethanol was assessed on resting ventilation, apneic events and […]
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