Anesthesiology
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Propofol and midazolam inhibit conscious memory processes very soon after encoding: an event-related potential study of familiarity and recollection in volunteers.
Intravenous drugs active via gamma-aminobutyric acid receptors to produce memory impairment during conscious sedation. Memory function was assessed using event-related potentials (ERPs) while drug was present. ⋯ Propofol and midazolam impaired recognition ERPs from long-term memory but not working memory. ERP measures of memory revealed different pathways to end-of-day memory loss as early as 27 s after encoding.
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In March 2007, a new disposable laryngeal mask airway (LMA) became available. The LMA Supreme (The Laryngeal Mask Company Limited, St. Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands) aims to combine the LMA Fastrach feature of easy insertion with the gastric access and high oropharyngeal leak pressures of the LMA ProSeal. ⋯ Clinical evaluation of the LMA Supreme showed easy insertion, optimal laryngeal fit, and low airway morbidity. Oropharyngeal leak pressure results were comparable to earlier data from the LMA ProSeal.
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Cognitive dysfunction is fairly common after noncardiac surgery and may be related to intraoperative blood pressure management. The authors present an analysis of risk factors for cognitive deterioration after spine surgery in older patients, with particular emphasis on intraoperative blood pressure in normotensive and hypertensive patients. ⋯ In hypertensive patients, there was a significant relationship between minimum intraoperative MAP and decline in cognitive function 1 day and 1 month after surgery. A prospective controlled trial of intraoperative blood pressure control, especially during induction of anesthesia when MAP values typically drop, is needed to confirm these findings.
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Perioperative acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is a recognized complication of noncardiac, nonvascular surgery, but few data are available regarding incidence and effect on outcome. This study examines the epidemiology of perioperative AIS in three common surgeries: hemicolectomy, total hip replacement, and lobectomy/segmental lung resection. ⋯ Perioperative AIS is an important source of morbidity and mortality associated with noncardiac, nonvascular surgery, particularly in elderly patients and patients with atrial fibrillation, valvular disease, renal disease, or previous stroke.
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Ischemic optic neuropathy is the most common cause of perioperative vision loss. The authors sought to determine its incidence and identify risk factors that may contribute to perioperative ischemic optic neuropathy associated with nonophthalmologic surgical procedures at their institution. ⋯ The authors conclude that perioperative ischemic optic neuropathy can occur in the absence of atypical fluctuations in hemodynamic variables during the perioperative period.