Current opinion in anaesthesiology
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Aug 2017
ReviewDexmedetomidine: the new all-in-one drug in paediatric anaesthesia?
Dexmedetomidine is a drug with sedative, anxiolytic, sympatholytic and analgesic properties, which is finding widespread practice in paediatric anaesthesia and related practices. The present review summarizes its pharmacology and current experience with the drug. ⋯ Most of the paediatric published studies concerning dexmedetomidine are observational in nature, with limited control groups or comparators. Adverse effects (e.g. bradycardia) still require greater scrutiny in the paediatric population and particularly with respect to different age groups. Dexmedetomidine currently has a firm position in the armamentarium of anaesthesia pharmacology. It is not the new all-in-one drug, but it is shaping up as a valuable adjunct for diverse indications within paediatric anaesthesia. VIDEO ABSTRACT: http://links.lww.com/COAN/A44.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Aug 2017
Lipid resuscitation in acute poisoning: after a decade of publications, what have we really learned?
The decision to provide intravenous lipid emulsion (ILE) therapy as a treatment modality for the reversal of various drug toxicity was discovered in the last decade. Numerous publications, in both humans and animals attest to its clinical use, but current supporting evidence is inconsistent. ⋯ ILE can be used to resuscitate local anesthetics especially bupivacaine. The impact of ILE on oral overdoses is controversial and clear evidence on benefit is lacking. A thorough risk benefit assessment with consideration of alternative options is warranted to minimize the risk of adverse effects. Evidence supports using bolus doses of ILE, while infusion rates are still debatable.
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Procedures are increasingly being performed in the acute care setting, outside of the operating rooms (OR). This article aims to review the current literature on out-of-OR procedural sedation with a focus on the ICU and emergency department, highlighting the following topics: multidisciplinary team approach, choice of pharmacologic agent, sedation scales, current safety guidelines, anticipating complications, appropriate monitoring and necessary resources. ⋯ Multimodal/synergistic sedation under a multidisciplinary team provides the best patient satisfaction. Collection and analysis of physiological data and outcomes of patients undergoing procedural sedation is necessary to maintain compliance with regulatory bodies. There is a paucity of comprehensive guidelines for conducting research in procedural sedation; therefore, it is being currently addressed by the Sedation Consortium.
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Perioperative coagulation management is becoming increasingly frequent in the daily routine of the anesthesiologist and with the plethora of new substances on the market also increasingly complex. The perioperative setting poses unique challenges requiring an individualized evaluation and management of antithrombotic therapy. This review shall summarize the newest developments in this domain. ⋯ With the new evidence and treatment options available, perioperative coagulation management is experiencing a Renaissance, opening many interesting new doors, but also presenting the clinician with new challenges.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Aug 2017
ReviewTraining anesthesiologists in out-of-operating room anesthesia.
The purpose of this review is to describe recent developments and current trends in training anesthesiologists in out-of-operating room anesthesia (OORA). ⋯ This review will provide useful models for training directors needing to design and implement OOR rotations for their trainees.