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Uncategorized Published - 10 August, 2016    By - Dr Clemens
Epidurals and Chronic Postsurgical Pain: Is It Lack of Evidence or Poor Design?

Authors: Eric S. Schwenk, M.D. et al Anesthesiology 8 2016, Vol.125, 439-440. To the Editor: We read with great interest the large, retrospective database review of perioperative epidural use for abdominal surgery by Ladha et al.1 We agree that studying anesthetic techniques that might have an impact on the incidence of persistent postsurgical pain is an important area, […]

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Uncategorized Published - 10 August, 2016    By - Dr Clemens
Platelet Counts, Acute Kidney Injury, and Mortality after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Surgery

Authors: Shangyi Hui, M.D. et al Anesthesiology 8 2016, Vol.125, 437-438 To the Editor: We read with great interest the article by Dr. Kertai et al.,1  in which the authors identified a novel association between postoperative nadir platelet counts and acute kidney injury (AKI) and short-term mortality after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. Despite the elaborate statistical analysis […]

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Uncategorized Published - 10 August, 2016    By - Dr Clemens
Counting Errors: Medication or Medical?

Authors: Yieshan M. Chan, M.D. et al         Anesthesiology 8 2016, Vol.125, 431-432. To the Editor: We congratulate Nanji et al.1  for their recent prospective, observational study defining the frequency of medication errors (MEs) and potential adverse drug events (ADEs) in the operating rooms of the Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts. We read this article with great interest, […]

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Uncategorized Published - 10 August, 2016    By - Dr Clemens
Adverse Drug Events Link to Severity of the Event Data Needed

Authors: James W. Ibinson, M.D., Ph.D. et al      Anesthesiology 8 2016, Vol.125, 431. To the Editor: Although thought provoking and likely to lead to significant research in the future, the data presented by Nanji et al.1  are not sufficient to support a conclusion that medication errors (MEs) occurring during the course of anesthesia lead to meaningful harm. A primary […]

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Uncategorized Published - 10 August, 2016    By - Dr Clemens
Evaluation of Perioperative Medication Errors

Authors: T. Andrew Bowdle, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.S.E. et al Anesthesiology 8 2016, Vol.125, 429-431. To the Editor: The recent article by Nanji et al.1  concerning errors related to anesthetic drug administration is interesting and raises a number of provocative questions. However, we are concerned that the manner in which the data are presented and interpreted may lead readers […]

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Uncategorized Published - 9 August, 2016    By - Dr Clemens
Is It Time to Ask Different Questions about Aspiration?

Authors: Peter A. Chin, M.B.B.S. Anesthesiology 8 2016, Vol.125, 425. To the Editor: I read with interest the report by Beach et al.1  on the relationship between nil per os (NPO) time and major adverse events, with special attention to pulmonary aspiration. The authors conclude that NPO status is not an independent predictor of major complications. As reported […]

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Uncategorized Published - 9 August, 2016    By - Dr Clemens
Steroids Do Not Reduce Persistent Pain after Cardiac Surgery: Should This Be the End of the Question or the Beginning of Newer Questions?

Authors: Harsha Shanthanna, M.D. et al      Anesthesiology 8 2016, Vol.125, 423-425. To the Editor: We read with interest the study by Turan et al.1  on the use of methylprednisolone for persistent incisional pain after cardiac surgery. This substudy was done on 1,110 of the 7,500 patients included for the Steroid In caRdiac Surgery (SIRS) trial.2  The treatment group […]

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Uncategorized Published - 9 August, 2016    By - Dr Clemens
Long-term Survival, All-cause Mortality, and Propensity Score Matching

Authors: Usman Ali, M.B.B.S., B.Sc., F.R.C.A. et al Anesthesiology 8 2016, Vol.125, 419-420. To the Editor: We read with great interest the article by Wigmore et al.1  The authors have produced one of the largest studies published looking at cancer survival and anesthesia. In an era where new cancer therapies are becoming ever more expensive to develop, their […]

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Uncategorized Published - 9 August, 2016    By - Dr Clemens
Total Intravenous Anesthesia and Transfusion: A Double Whammy?

Authors: Sarah A. Dawson, M.B.B.S. Anesthesiology 8 2016, Vol.125, 418-419. To the Editor: I read with great interest the article by Wigmore et al.1  at the Royal Marsden Hospital (London, United Kingdom), which suggested that total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) is associated with improved cancer survival when compared to volatile inhalational anesthesia. The study has caused a great deal […]

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Uncategorized Published - 9 August, 2016    By - Dr Clemens
Survival Advantage with Total Intravenous Anesthesia in Cancer Surgery: Is This Confounded by Cancer Type and Stage?

Authors: Brett Doleman, B.Sc. et al Anesthesiology 8 2016, Vol.125, 417 To the Editor: We read with interest the article by Wigmore et al.,1  in particular the impressive survival advantage associated with the use of total IV anesthesia (TIVA) compared to inhalational anesthesia. The study incorporated a propensity score–adjusted model, which is the most robust method to control […]

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