Current opinion in anaesthesiology
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Jun 2016
ReviewMyocardial injury after noncardiac surgery: an underappreciated problem and current challenges.
To review myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery (MINS), focusing on recent studies, including data on high-sensitivity troponin, which is likely to alter our understanding of MINS. ⋯ Currently, we are limited to appreciating the vast extent of the MINS problem and applying recommendations based on observational data or derived from the nonoperative setting. Routine troponin measurements after noncardiac surgery and the increasing use of high-sensitivity troponins have revealed the larger underwater iceberg of perioperative myocardial injury and ischemia. Clinicians should be sensitized for this important complication and search for it using a perioperative troponin screening.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Jun 2016
ReviewPatients prone for postoperative delirium: preoperative assessment, perioperative prophylaxis, postoperative treatment.
The aim of this study was to review current literature on identification of patients at risk for postoperative delirium (POD) and to summarize recent findings on prophylaxis and treatment. ⋯ An increase of the proportion of elderly patients undergoing surgery will lead to a higher incidence of POD. Preoperative assessment should facilitate identification of patients at high risk. Perioperative management should include monitoring depth of anesthesia, preference for nonopioid pain therapy, early regular delirium monitoring starting in the recovery room, avoiding ICU-sedation, early mobilization and exercise, and cognitive training.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Jun 2016
ReviewSurgical treatment of craniosynostosis in infants: open vs closed repair.
Correction of craniosynostosis may require extensive surgical interventions with related intra and postoperative complications especially hemorrhage. To reduce the intervention's impact and associated complications, less invasive surgical alternatives have evolved. The present review comprehensively summarizes surgical techniques, perioperative anesthesia management, success rates, complications, the results of outcome evaluations, and predictors of intra and postoperative complications. ⋯ Neuroendoscopic techniques, designed to minimize surgical incision, dissection, and blood loss, are becoming efficacious and valuable alternative therapeutic options reducing the need for fluid replacement and invasive hemodynamic monitoring. Since hemorrhage represents the most important complication in open craniosynostosis repair, prevention strategies such as the use of tranexamic acid should be considered. Sufficient correction of entailed coagulopathies is crucial.
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Early warning scores, early warning systems and rapid response systems, were established in 1999. In the UK, a National Early Warning Score was launched in 2013 and is now used throughout the National Health Service. In 2007, a firm recommendation was made by the maternal confidential death enquiry that maternity units should incorporate a modified early obstetric warning score chart into clinical practice. Although there was enthusiastic uptake of this recommendation, local recording systems vary throughout the country and there is now a need to revisit revise and standardize an obstetric early warning system (ObsEWS). ⋯ A greater focus and study on the management of maternal morbidity (in addition to mortality data) and the development of better systems within and across the multidisciplinary team to detect early deterioration should improve management of serious illness in obstetrics. It is imperative that we undertake robust ObsEWS and data collection, including electronic systems with research and evidence-based recommendations to underpin this system. This should improve patient safety and result in more efficient, cost-effective management of sicker patients in our complex modern healthcare systems.