Author: Christopher A. Troianos, MD, FASE, FASA et al ASA Monitor December 2021, Vol. 85, 39. The Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists (SCA) was established in 1978 to provide education and to support research and mentorship to anesthesiologists caring for patients with cardiac disease undergoing cardiac and non-cardiac surgery. The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) […]
Read MoreAuthors: Joseph Liao, MD et al ASA Monitor March 2022, Vol. 86, 44. Your pager shrills in the middle of the night. The overhead speakers broadcast for all available staff to the operating room STAT. You put on your N-95 and face shield and race to the OR. The bloodied, injured patient is wheeled in by […]
Read MoreAuthor: Thomas R. Miller, PhD, MBA ASA Monitor March 2022, Vol. 86, 1–11. Workforce issues were a key concern in health care in 2021, and they continue to be a focus of attention among clinical specialties in 2022. Relevant to anesthesiology were headlines about potential shortages of anesthesiologists, certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), and certified anesthesiologist […]
Read MoreAuthors: Sharon C. Reale, M.D. et al Anesthesiology May 2022, Vol. 136, 697–708. Background Estimates for the incidence of difficult intubation in the obstetric population vary widely, although previous studies reporting rates of difficult intubation in obstetrics are older and limited by smaller samples. The goals of this study were to provide a contemporary estimate of […]
Read MoreAuthors: David H. Kim, M.D. et al Anesthesiology March 2022, Vol. 136, 434–447. Background The interscalene nerve block provides analgesia for shoulder surgery. To extend block duration, provide adequate analgesia, and minimize opioid consumption, the use of adjuvants such as dexamethasone as well as the application of perineural liposomal bupivacaine have been proposed. This randomized, […]
Read MoreAuthors: Katie J. Schenning, MD, MPH, MCR et al ASA Monitor March 2022, Vol. 86, 18–19. “Common perioperative risks include risk of sore throat or postoperative nausea and vomiting. Rare but serious complications include heart attack, stroke, or death. Any questions?” Anesthesiologists have a critically important role that often occurs minutes before a patient is transported […]
Read MoreAuthors: Zachary Deutch, MD, FASA and Amr E. Abouleish, MD, MBA, FASA ASA Monitor March 2022, Vol. 86, 14–15. Welcome to the early spring installment of “Ask the Expert!” Many of us have been presented with dashboards, charts/tables, and proposals relating to the organization and economics of our practices, questioning “Why do you need so many people?” […]
Read MoreAuthors: Tiffany Sun Moon, MD and Albert J. Varon, MD, MHPE, FCCM, FASA ASA Monitor March 2022, Vol. 86, 33–34. Tranexamic acid (TXA) is an antifibrinolytic agent that competitively inhibits the activation of plasminogen to plasmin, stabilizing previously formed clots (J Thromb Haemost 2015;13:S195-9; Eur J Haematol 2020;104:79-87; Crit Care Clin 2017;33:85-99). TXA has been well studied in non-trauma […]
Read MoreAuthors: Laura Girón-Arango, MD et al ASA Monitor March 2022, Vol. 86, 31–32. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in trauma was introduced early with the Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (FAST) exam, a well-known scanning protocol incorporated into the Advanced Trauma Life Support® program to help with the diagnosis of life-threatening situations during the primary survey. The […]
Read MoreAuthors: Chung-Sik Oh, M.D., Ph.D. et al Anesthesiology March 2022, Vol. 136, 448–458. Background The antitumor effects of natural killer cells, helper T cells, and cytotoxic T cells after cancer surgery were reported previously. This study hypothesized that propofol-based anesthesia would have fewer harmful effects on immune cells than volatile anesthetics–based anesthesia during colorectal cancer […]
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