Journal of clinical anesthesia
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Comparative Study
Perioperative antiplatelet therapy and cardiovascular outcomes in patients undergoing joint and spine surgery.
Perioperative thrombotic complications after orthopedic surgery are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The use of aspirin to reduce perioperative cardiovascular complications in certain high-risk cohorts remains controversial. Few studies have addressed aspirin use, bleeding, and cardiovascular outcomes among high-risk patients undergoing joint and spine surgery. ⋯ In a large tertiary care center, the incidence of perioperative bleeding and cardiovascular events decreased over time. In participants with CAD, perioperative aspirin use increased and appears to be safe.
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Comparative Study
Does nitrous oxide labor analgesia influence the pattern of neuraxial analgesia usage? An impact study at an academic medical center.
To compare the rate of epidural use before and after the implementation of nitrous oxide (N2O). ⋯ The introduction of N2O for labor analgesia was not associated with any change in our rate of labor epidural utilization. Under the conditions of our study, these results suggest that N2O does not discourage neuraxial use for labor pain relief.
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Cardiac arrest in the perioperative period is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Novel resuscitation devices may afford patients improved survival and limit neurologic injury. We report a case of cardiac arrest in the postanesthesia care unit that required an extensive period of cardiopulmonary resuscitation assisted by the ResQPOD impedance threshold device to optimize coronary perfusion and a LUCAS chest compression system to maintain optimal cardiopulmonary resuscitation while transporting the patient to the cardiac catheterization laboratory. Furthermore, after stabilization for an occluded left anterior descending artery with stent placement, an institutional hypothermia protocol was initiated using Thermogard XP Temperature Management system for 24 hours.
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Recent experimental evidence identified GABAergic sedation as a possible cause for deprived neuroregeneration and poor outcome after acute brain injury. Patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage are often sedated, and GABAergic sedation, such as midazolam and propofol, is commonly used. ⋯ Administration of GABAergic sedation was associated with an unfavorable outcome after 6 months. To avoid bias (mainly through the indication to use sedation), additional experimental and comparative clinical investigation of, for example, non-GABAergic sedation, and clinical protocols of no sedation is necessary.
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Case Reports
Two lost airways and one unexpected problem: undiagnosed tracheal stenosis in a morbidly obese patient.
Anesthetic care of the morbidly obese is complex due to anatomic and physiologic alterations. Airway management in particular can be challenging. High body mass index is predictive of difficult ventilation and possibly difficult intubation. ⋯ Tracheal stenosis, a form of central airway obstruction, may be challenging to diagnose, especially in the obese. Comorbidities can mask the diagnosis and routine imaging may fail to identify the pathology. We present the case of a morbidly obese patient with 2 failed intubations due to difficult anatomy compounded with undiagnosed tracheal stenosis.