Cardiac Anesthesiologist blog Pulse pressure mathematically is the difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Pulse pressure reflects the stroke volume and compliance of the arterial system. PULSE PRESSURE > 50 % of Systolic Blood Pressure (or > 40 mmHg): Hypertension ; Age; Aortic regurgitation; Patent ductus arteriosus; Ruptured aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva; Fever; Anemia; Hyperthyroidism; Pregnancy; Arteriovenous fistula; Paget’s disease […]
Read MoreAUTHORS: Bassi, Massimiliano MD et al Anesthesia & Analgesia: October 2020 – Volume 131 – Issue 4 – p 1000-1005 During the past decades, percutaneous tracheostomy (PT) has gained popularity over surgical tracheostomy (ST) for its safety and technique; several studies were performed to compare these 2 options with conflicting results. PT appears to be […]
Read MoreAUTHORS: Mohamed, Sahar Abdel-Baky MD et al Anesthesia & Analgesia: September 1, 2020 BACKGROUND: Buccal dexmedetomidine (DEX) produces adequate preoperative sedation and anxiolysis when used as a premedication. Formulating the drug as a gel decreases oral losses and improves the absorption of buccal DEX. We compared pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of 3 doses of buccal […]
Read MoreAuthor: Rene’ Miguel Gonzalez, M.D. Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, anesthesia providers, intensive care unit and emergency room staff, and other health care workers (HCW’s) often find themselves in close proximity to patients’ airways. In many geographic areas in the US and worldwide, there is a shortage of […]
Read MoreAUTHORS: Warner, David O. MD et al Anesthesia & Analgesia: September 7, 2020 BACKGROUND: Two prior population-based (children born in Olmsted County, MN), retrospective cohort studies both found that multiple exposures to anesthesia before age 3 were associated with a significant increase in the frequency of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and learning disabilities (LD) later […]
Read MoreAuthor: Rene’ Miguel Gonzalez, M.D. Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation In the midst of the new COVID-19 pandemic, anesthesia personnel find themselves on the front lines, facing and combating the spread of this airborne illness, often with sub-optimal personal protective equipment (PPE) due to shortages of N-95 masks and other protective respirators, gowns, gloves, and protective […]
Read MoreAUTHORS: Chaki, Tomohiro MD, PhD et al Anesthesia & Analgesia: September 1, 2020 BACKGROUND: Second-generation supraglottic airway (SGA) devices are useful for airway management during positive pressure ventilation in general anesthesia and emergency medicine. In some clinical settings, such as the anesthetic management of awake craniotomy, SGAs are used in the head-rotated position, which is […]
Read MoreAUTHORS: Raupach, Annika PhD et al Anesthesia & Analgesia: September 1, 2020 BACKGROUND: Cardioprotective interventions—such as pharmacological postconditioning—are a promising strategy to reduce deleterious consequences of ischemia and reperfusion injury (I/RI) in the heart, especially as timing and onset of myocardial infarction are unpredictable. Pharmacological postconditioning by treatment with dexmedetomidine (Dex), an α2-adrenoreceptor agonist, during […]
Read MoreAuthors: Kuvadia, Mausam MD; Wall, Russell MD; Pehar, Andjela MD; Nishida, Kevin MD; Darling, Nellie MS Anesthesia Pateint Safety Foundation SUMMARY:Intraoperative bacterial and viral contamination of the anesthesia work environment (AWE) has been directly linked to 30-day postoperative infections. At MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, we have implemented a multi-step program to educate providers on infection […]
Read MoreCardiac Anesthesiologists blog Noncardiovascular Disorders, special Features: Gallbladder disease: Right upper quadrant abdominal pain and tenderness. Peptic ulcer: Epigastric pain worse 3 hours after eating. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): Acid reflux; relief with antacids. Costochondritis: Pain exacerbated with inspiration; reproduced with chest wall palpitation. Hiatal hernia: Reflux of food; relief with antacids. Pulmonary embolus-infarction: Tachypnea, dyspnea, […]
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