Current opinion in anaesthesiology
-
Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Feb 2020
ReviewAntibiotic dosing during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: does the system matter?
The aims of this review are to discuss the impact of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) on antibiotic pharmacokinetics and how this phenomenon may influence antibiotic dosing requirements in critically ill adult ECMO patients. ⋯ An advanced understanding of the pharmacokinetic alterations in critically ill patients receiving ECMO is essential to provide optimal antibiotic dosing in these complex patients pending robust dosing guidelines. Antibiotic dosing in this patient population should generally align with the recommended dosing strategies for critically ill patients not on ECMO support. Performing therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) to guide antibiotic dosing in this patient population appears useful.
-
Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Feb 2020
ReviewAnesthetic management of lung transplantation: impact of presenting disease.
Recent literature has described the emerging role of anesthesiologists as key members of the lung transplantation team and the impact of anesthetic management on outcomes. This review examines the impact of presenting cause of end-stage lung disease (ESLD) on anesthetic management. ⋯ The application of these updated findings should assist anesthesiologists as they develop internal protocols and external guidelines to integrate within multidisciplinary teams caring for the lung transplant patient.
-
Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Feb 2020
ReviewPatients with left ventricle assist devices presenting for thoracic surgery and lung resection: tips, tricks and evidence.
Over a thousand left ventricular-assist device (LVAD) implants were performed for heart failure destination therapy in 2017. With increasing survival, we are seeing increasing numbers of patients present for noncardiac surgery, including resections for cancer. This article will review the relevant literature and guidelines for patients with LVADs undergoing thoracic surgery, including lung resection. ⋯ Successful thoracic surgery requires understanding of the LVAD physiology. Modern devices are preload dependent and afterload sensitive. The effects of one-lung ventilation, including hypoxia and hypercapnia, may increase pulmonary vascular resistance and impair the right ventricle. Successful surgery necessitates a multidisciplinary approach, including thorough preoperative assessment; optimization and planning of intraoperative management strategies; and approaches to anticoagulation, right ventricular failure and LVAD flow optimization. This article discusses recent evidence on these topics.
-
Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction following thoracotomy and pulmonary resection is a known phenomenon but questions remain about its mechanism, risk factors, and clinical significance. Acute RV dysfunction can present intraoperatively and postoperatively, persisting for 2 months after surgery. ⋯ In this review, we examine the most recent literature on RV dysfunction following lung resection, including possible mechanisms, time span of RV dysfunction, and available diagnostic modalities. The clinical relevance of these factors on preoperative assessment and risk stratification are presented.
-
Alterations in cognitive functions are common in the perioperative course. Although often unnoticed by physicians, these alterations might have distinct long-term consequences for the patient with regard to everyday functioning, self-dependency, and quality of life. In recent years, however, perioperative cognition has gained increased interest, both by clinicians and scientists, and knowledge of the preventive measures of postoperative cognitive decline has become mandatory for anesthetists and surgeons. ⋯ Postoperative neurocognitive disorders are frequent complications, especially in elderly patients, with postoperative delirium being its most pronounced and acute postoperative form, predisposing the patient for long-term cognitive impairment. The incidence of postoperative cognitive decline can be reduced by implementing preventive measures during perioperative patient care as recommended by national and international guidelines.