Anesthesia and analgesia
-
Anesthesia and analgesia · Oct 2012
Review Case ReportsEchocardiographic assessment of atrial septal defects.
-
Anesthesia and analgesia · Oct 2012
Review Meta AnalysisDoes intraoperative ketamine attenuate inflammatory reactivity following surgery? A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Reports regarding the ability of the anesthetic drug ketamine to attenuate the inflammatory response to surgery are conflicting. In this systematic review we examined the effect of perioperative ketamine administration on postoperative inflammation as assessed by concentrations of the biomarker interleukin-6 (IL-6). ⋯ It can be concluded that intraoperative administration of ketamine significantly inhibits the early postoperative IL-6 inflammatory response. Future studies should further examine the anti-inflammatory effect of ketamine during major surgery, determine whether ketamine treatment alters functional outcomes, elucidate the mechanisms of its anti-inflammatory effect, and suggest an appropriate dosing regimen.
-
Anesthesia and analgesia · Oct 2012
ReviewClinical uses of the Bonfils Retromolar Intubation Fiberscope: a review.
The Bonfils Retromolar Intubation Fiberscope is a rigid, straight fiberoptic device with a 40-degree curved tip, which facilitates targeted intubation. Bonfils, using a retromolar approach to intubate tracheas of children with Pierre Robin syndrome, was first described in 1983. After an initial steep learning curve, the Bonfils becomes a useful device in the management of normal and difficult airways. ⋯ Although the intubation success rate is high, it is still very much operator dependent. Time to intubation is inferior to conventional laryngoscopy, and its expense may be an issue in some centers. In conclusion, the Bonfils is an effective tool for management of the difficult airway after initial training.
-
Anesthesia and analgesia · Oct 2012
ReviewComplement activation and cardiac surgery: a novel target for improving outcomes.
Complement activation and the resulting inflammatory response is an important potential mechanism for multisystem organ injury in cardiac surgery. Novel therapeutic strategies using complement inhibitors may hold promise for improving outcomes for cardiac surgical patients by attenuating complement activation or its biologically active effector molecules. Recent clinical trials evaluating complement inhibitors have provided important data to further delineate the impact of complement activation and its inhibition on clinical outcomes. In this review we examine the role of complement activation and its inhibition as a therapeutic approach in cardiac surgery.
-
Anesthesia and analgesia · Oct 2012
ReviewEn face view of the mitral valve: definition and acquisition.
A 3-dimensional echocardiographic view of the mitral valve, called the "en face" or "surgical view," presents a view of the mitral valve similar to that seen by the surgeon from a left atrial perspective. Although the anatomical landmarks of this view are well defined, no comprehensive echocardiographic definition has been presented. After reviewing the literature, we provide a definition of the left atrial and left ventricular en face views of the mitral valve. Techniques used to acquire this view are also discussed.