Journal of clinical anesthesia
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Angioedema is a potentially life-threatening condition that may present at any point in the perioperative care of patients. It requires prompt recognition and diagnosis; the primary concern during acute attacks is airway management. The pathophysiology, various causes of angioedema, and treatment strategies according to underlying etiology are presented.
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Case Reports
Sulprostone for postpartum hemorrhage in a parturient with a history of Tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy.
A 32 year old parturient with a history of Tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy, who suffered from postpartum hemorrhage for which sulprostone was administered without any adverse events, is reported. Anesthetic considerations related to the management of patient with a history of Tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy, especially triggers that may cause a recurrence, are described. The potential deleterious effects of sulprostone in a patient with a history of Tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy are discussed.
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Observational Study
Effects of surgery, general anesthesia, and perioperative epidural analgesia on the immune function of patients with non-small cell lung cancer.
To assess preoperative and postoperative immune function in patients undergoing surgical resection of non-small cell lung cancer during general anesthesia and postoperative epidural analgesia. ⋯ Innate immunity is depressed in patients with non-small cell lung cancer after surgical resection, and immunity is not preserved by the use of postoperative epidural analgesia.
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Supraclavicular brachial plexus block is commonly used for upper extremity surgery. Respiratory arrest in three patients with end-stage renal disease after ultrasound-guided supraclavicular brachial plexus block for creation of an arteriovenous graft over a 6-month period is presented. Patients with renal failure may represent a group at particular risk for respiratory failure following supraclavicular brachial plexus block.
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The sternal cleft is a rare congenital abnormality that is a result of failure of sternal fusion, varying from complete to incomplete (bifid), and may be associated with ectopia cordis. The surgical correction of the bifid sternum and its respective anesthetic concerns are presented.