Anesthesia and analgesia
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Feb 2021
Meta AnalysisEarly Versus Late Tracheostomy in Patients With Acute Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
Acute traumatic spinal cord injuries (SCIs) often result in impairments in respiration that may lead to a sequelae of pulmonary dysfunction, increased risk of infection, and death. The optimal timing for tracheostomy in patients with acute SCI is currently unknown. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to assess the optimal timing of tracheostomy in SCI patients and evaluate the potential benefits of early versus late tracheostomy. ⋯ Based on the available data, patients with early tracheostomy within the first 7 days of injury or tracheal intubation had higher cervical SCI, shorter ICU length of stay, and shorter duration of mechanical ventilation compared to late tracheostomy. The risk of in-hospital mortality may be lower following an early tracheostomy. However, due to the quality of studies and insufficient clinical data available, it is challenging to make conclusive interpretations. Future prospective trials with a larger patient population are needed to fully assess short- and long-term outcomes of tracheostomy timing following acute SCI.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Feb 2021
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the prone position in the operating room or in the intensive care unit: a systematic review.
The prone position is commonly used in certain surgical procedures and to improve oxygenation in mechanically ventilated patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Cardiorespiratory arrest (CRA) in this position may be more challenging to treat because care providers trained in conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) may not be familiar with CPR in the prone position. The aim of this systematic review is to provide an overview of current evidence regarding the methodology, efficacy, and experience of CPR in the prone position, in patients with the airway already secured. ⋯ Data from reviewed clinical studies confirm that CPR in the prone position is a reasonable alternative to supine CPR when the latter cannot be immediately implemented, and the airway is already secured. Defibrillation in the prone position is also possible. Familiarizing clinicians with CPR and defibrillation in the prone position may improve CPR performance in the prone position.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Feb 2021
ReviewPotential for Kappa-Opioid Receptor Agonists to Engineer Nonaddictive Analgesics: A Narrative Review.
A serious adverse effect of prescription opioid analgesics is addiction, both to these analgesics and to illicit drugs like heroin that also activate the µ-opioid receptor (MOR). Opioid use disorder (OUD) and opioid overdose deaths represent a current American health crisis, and the prescription of opioid analgesics has contributed significantly to this crisis. While prescription opioids are highly effective analgesics, there currently exists no facile way to use them for extended periods without the risk of addiction. ⋯ Prior findings with mixed MOR/KOR agonists are considered before exploring new potential avenues such as biased KOR agonists. New preclinical data are highlighted, demonstrating that the G protein-biased KOR agonist nalfurafine reduces the rewarding properties of MOR-targeting analgesics and enhances MOR-targeting analgesic-induced antinociception. Finally, we discuss the recent discovery that a regulator of G protein signaling (namely, RGS12) is a key component of signaling bias at KOR, presenting another drug discovery target toward identifying a single agent or adjuvant to be added to traditional opioid analgesics that could reduce or eliminate the addictive potential of the latter drug.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Feb 2021
Assessment of Anesthesia Capacity in Public Surgical Hospitals in Guatemala.
International standards for safe anesthetic care have been developed by the World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists (WFSA) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Whether these standards are met is unknown in many nations, including Guatemala, a country with universal health coverage. We aimed to establish an overview of anesthesia care capacity in public surgical hospitals in Guatemala to help guide public sector health care development. ⋯ This first countrywide, MSPAS-led assessment of anesthesia capacity at public facilities in Guatemala revealed a lack of essential materials and personnel to provide safe anesthesia and surgery. Hospitals surveyed often did not have resources regardless of hospital size or level, which may suggest multiple factors preventing availability and use. Local and national policy initiatives are needed to address these deficiencies.