Anesthesia and analgesia
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Jan 2013
First evidence of a polygenic susceptibility to pain in a pediatric cohort.
There is currently no evidence about the genetic bases of postoperative pain variability in children. ⋯ ABCB1 and OPRM genotypes are associated with clinically meaningful pain variability, whereas NTRK1 and COMT are linked to subclinical effects. This first but small cohort study provides clues to further explore the genetic foundations of pediatric pain.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Jan 2013
An observational study of the fresh frozen plasma: red blood cell ratio in postpartum hemorrhage.
Postpartum hemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal death worldwide. Recent data from trauma patients and patients with hemorrhagic shock have suggested that an increased fresh frozen plasma:red blood cell (FFP:RBC) ratio may be of benefit in massive bleeding. We addressed this issue in cases of severe postpartum hemorrhage. ⋯ In this retrospective study, a higher FFP:RBC ratio was associated with a lower requirement for advanced interventional procedures in the setting of postpartum hemorrhage. The benefits of transfusion using a higher FFP:RBC ratio should be confirmed by randomized-controlled trials.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Jan 2013
Curriculum and cases for pain medicine crisis resource management education.
Medical crises that may occur in the setting of a pain medicine service are rare events that require skillful action and teamwork to ensure safe patient outcome. A simulated environment is an ideal venue for both acquisition and reinforcement of this knowledge and skill set. Here, we present an educational curriculum in pain medicine crisis resource management for both pain medicine fellows and attending physicians as well as the results of a successful pilot program.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Jan 2013
Estimate of the relative risk of succinylcholine for triggering malignant hyperthermia.
Facilities with volatile anesthetic agents stock dantrolene for the treatment of malignant hyperthermia (MH). The availability of dantrolene at these facilities satisfies cost-utility norms even for sites with as few as 1 anesthetic per workday, based on the overall incidence of MH per anesthetic. We considered the stocking of dantrolene at facilities with succinylcholine alone (i.e., where volatile anesthetics are not available), by using registry data and estimates of the frequency of administration of succinylcholine during anesthesia. We determine the magnitude of the relative risk of the administration of succinylcholine for triggering MH. ⋯ Our results provide no insight into the triggering mechanism for MH (i.e., succinylcholine could in isolation have an extremely low incidence of inducing MH, yet markedly increase the risk when administered in combination with volatile anesthetics). Until more epidemiologic data are collected and analyzed, having dantrolene available, where succinylcholine may be used, is reasonable, and this practice should be maintained.