Current opinion in anaesthesiology
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Emergence delirium in children is still considered as a mysterious complication occurring after pediatric anesthesia. Although the pharmacology of fast-acting volatile agent is highly suspected in the genesis of this complication, no strong evidence has been published to support this hypothesis. This review summarizes the recent findings concerning this complication. ⋯ Emergence delirium in children is a frequent but preventable complication. Strategies for prevention and therapy include particularly pain management and medication with alpha-2 agonists.
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Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) has a high incidence in children and requires prophylactic and therapeutic strategies. ⋯ Concluding from the existing guidelines and data on the handling of PONV in children at least 3 years, the following recommendations are given: outpatients undergoing small procedures should receive a single prophylaxis, outpatients at high risk a double prophylaxis, inpatients with surgery time of more than 30 min and use of postoperative opioids should get double prophylaxis, and inpatients receiving a high-risk surgical procedure or with other risk factors a triple prophylaxis (two drugs and total intravenous anesthesia). Dimenhydrinate can be used as a second choice, whereas droperidol and metoclopramide can only be recommended as rescue therapy.
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The management of atrial fibrillation has seen marked changes in recent years. This is the result of better knowledge of the pathophysiology and risks factors for atrial fibrillation, better stratification for thromboembolic and bleeding risks, changing practices in anticoagulation management, and the development of new antiarrhythmic drugs. This article focuses on these new issues, with particular attention to their relevance in the perioperative period. ⋯ Better knowledge of the pathophysiology of atrial fibrillation and improved awareness of the risks associated with this frequent arrhythmia are continuing to improve the management of patients with chronic atrial fibrillation and new-onset atrial fibrillation in the perioperative period. As with most complex disease processes, treatment decisions must be individualized for each patient and clinical context.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Jun 2014
ReviewDetection and management of perioperative myocardial ischemia.
To review the current evidence for detection and management of perioperative myocardial ischemia. ⋯ Perioperative physicians should refrain from the use of nonsurgical diagnostic criteria for myocardial infarction and adopt the clinical entity known as myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery in order to allow for better determination of the prevalence of this perioperative complication. Studies should focus on establishing the feasibility of broad postoperative troponin surveillance following noncardiac surgery. Clinical trials of potential therapies for myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery are urgently needed.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Jun 2014
ReviewIntraosseous infusion in elective and emergency pediatric anesthesia: when should we use it?
Difficulties to establish a venous access may also occur in routine pediatric anesthesia and lead to hazardous situations. Intraosseous infusion is a well tolerated and reliable but rarely used alternative technique in this setting. ⋯ Most problems in using an intraosseous infusion are provider-dependent. In pediatric anesthesia, the perioperative setting should further contribute to reduce these problems. Nevertheless, regular training, thorough anatomical knowledge and prompt availability especially in the pediatric age group are paramount to get a seldom used technique work properly under pressure. More longitudinal data on large cohorts were preferable to further support the safety of the intraosseous infusion technique in pediatric patients.