Anesthesia and analgesia
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Apr 2020
Comparative StudyComparison of Collapsibility of the Human Upper Airway During Anesthesia and During Sleep.
The propensities for the upper airway to collapse during anesthesia and sleep are related, although much of our understanding of this relationship has been inferred from clinical observation and indirect measures such as the apnea-hypopnea index. The aim of this study was to use an identical, rigorous, direct measure of upper airway collapsibility (critical closing pressure of the upper airway) under both conditions to allow the magnitude of upper airway collapsibility in each state to be precisely compared. ⋯ These results demonstrate that the magnitude of upper airway collapsibility during anesthesia and sleep is directly related. However, the upper airway is systematically more collapsible during anesthesia than sleep, suggesting greater vulnerability to upper airway obstruction in the anesthetized state.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Apr 2020
Pulmonary Complications After Hip and Knee Arthroplasty in the United States, 2004-2014.
Pulmonary complications after total joint arthroplasty (TJA) are uncommon but have significant cost impact. Total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are 2 of the 5 top procedures requiring inpatient stay within the United States. Subsequent pulmonary complications therefore may impose substantial cost burden for US health care. The purpose of this study was to describe the incidence, risk factors, and clinical implications of pulmonary complications (ie, pneumonia, respiratory failure, pulmonary embolism [PE], and aspiration) after TJA in the United States. ⋯ Despite a decline in overall incidence, perioperative pulmonary complications represent a significant potential source of perioperative morbidity and mortality. The current study highlights potential risk factors for pulmonary complications. Recognition of these factors may help to better stratify patients and mitigate risk of potential complications. This is particularly true of respiratory failure as it is associated with the high increases in resource utilization and mortality in this group.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Apr 2020
Observational StudyTrends in Central Venous Catheter Insertions by Anesthesia Providers: An Analysis of the Medicare Physician Supplier Procedure Summary From 2007 to 2016.
Central line insertion is a core skill for anesthesiologists. Although recent technical advances have increased the safety of central line insertion and reduced the risk of central line-associated infection, noninvasive hemodynamic monitoring and improved intravenous access techniques have also reduced the need for perioperative central venous access. We hypothesized that the number of central lines inserted by anesthesiologists has decreased over the past decade. To test our hypothesis, we reviewed the Medicare Physician Supplier Procedure Summary (PSPS) database from 2007 to 2016. ⋯ We observed a 38.3% decrease in claims for nontunneled central lines placed by anesthesiologists from 2007 to 2016. These findings have implications for anesthesiology resident training and maintenance of competence among practicing clinicians. Further research is needed to clarify the effect of decreasing line insertion numbers on line insertion competence among anesthesiologists.