A&A practice
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A 35-year-old parturient with antiphospholipid syndrome and a working diagnosis of hemolysis, elevated liver enzyme, and low platelets (HELLP) underwent a cesarean delivery 9 hours after receiving heparin. Her preoperative activated partial thromboplastin time and rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) intrinsic pathway (INTEM) clotting time were 120 and 1870 seconds, respectively. Fresh frozen plasma was administered for heparin neutralization. The ROTEM INTEM/heparinase assay (HEPTEM) ratio can help confirm heparin neutralization and guide intraoperative transfusion management.
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Case Reports
Fatal Clostridium perfringens Meningitis Following Caudal Anesthesia in an Infant: A Case Report.
Caudal anesthesia is referred to as a simple and safe method to obtain analgesia in infants during various surgical procedures. Here, we present a fatal course of a premature infant that received caudal anesthesia for inguinal hernia repair. ⋯ The infant died 17 days after surgery. Preoperative screening for C. perfringens and particular caution in infants with intracerebral hemorrhages are discussed as potential factors to be considered when anesthesia is planned.
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Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (vaECMO) is a well-established treatment option for severe cardiogenic shock of various etiologies. Although trials have explored weaning strategies, a brief and conclusive overview is lacking. We present the different aspects of weaning and provide an evidence- and experienced-based guide for clinicians managing patients under vaECMO in the preweaning, weaning, and postweaning phases.
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Emergence delirium is a well-known phenomenon that may be encountered after general anesthesia. A common approach to this issue is to risk stratify patients preoperatively and treat them postoperatively if emergence delirium occurs. We present the case of a patient with Barrett esophagus and a history of severe and refractory emergence delirium, who was successfully treated prophylactically with physostigmine, resulting in decreased risk of harm to the patient, trauma to the perioperative staff, and a safer and more positive recovery.
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Case Reports
Advanced Progression of Scoliosis After Intrathecal Baclofen in an Adult With Stiff Person Syndrome: A Case Report.
Stiff person syndrome is a neuroimmunological disorder characterized by progressive muscular rigidity and spasms that affect axial/limb muscles, resulting in severe pain and functional limitations. When refractory to conservative treatments, intrathecal baclofen is a viable option to treat the increased tone. ⋯ This adverse effect has never been reported in adults with stiff person syndrome. We report a case of an adult with stiff person syndrome and underlying scoliosis who experienced accelerated progression of scoliosis after initiation of intrathecal baclofen, subsequently requiring neurosurgical intervention.