Current opinion in anaesthesiology
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Aug 2023
ReviewPharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic drug display and simulation systems in anesthesia practice.
This review explores the use of tools and displays based on pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) modelling of drugs used in anesthesia. The primary focus is on those tools designed to illustrate the interactions between two or more drugs, or classes of drugs, and in particular, their use in a real-time clinical support role. Off-line, educational tools are also explored. ⋯ PK/PD simulation is a useful tool for exposition of the relationship between drug dosing and effect. The initial promise of real-time tools has yet to be realized in routine clinical practice.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Aug 2023
ReviewElectroconvulsive therapy: recent advances and anesthetic considerations.
This review summarizes the current indications and principles of ECT. Contemporary anesthetic considerations are described with a focus on the optimal use of hypnotic agents and providing ECT in pregnant patients. ⋯ ECT is effective in treating treatment-resistant psychiatric illnesses. Symptoms of cognitive impairment are the most common side effects but can be treated by modifying the technique of ECT. All modern hypnotics can be used for the induction of general anesthesia. Etomidate and Ketamine may be of special interest in patients with insufficient seizure duration. Treating pregnant patients with ECT requires a multidisciplinary approach, in order to provide a safe therapy for mother and unborn child. Stigmatization and social disparities are hindering the widespread use of ECT as an effective treatment for severely ill psychiatric patients.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Aug 2023
ReviewRegional anesthesia in the emergency department outside the operating theatre.
Moderate to severe pain is common and remains a significant problem in the emergency department and regional anesthesia provides optimal and safe pain relief. This review aims to discuss the benefits, indications of the most common ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia techniques that can be provided by clinicians in the emergency department as part of multimodal analgesia. We will also comment on the education and training for effective and safe ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia in the emergency department. ⋯ Emergency physicians are perfectly placed to utilize the advantages of ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia. Various techniques can now be employed to cover most of the painful injuries presenting to the emergency department, thus modifying the morbidity and outcomes of emergency patients. Some of the new techniques require minimal training, provide safe and effective pain relief with low risk of complications. Ultrasound-guided regional anesthetic techniques should form an integral part of the curriculum of emergency department physicians.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Aug 2023
ReviewPatient satisfaction in anesthesiology: a narrative review.
Healthcare is increasingly expanding its view in outcome discussions to integrate patient-reported outcomes such as patient satisfaction. Involving patients in the evaluation of services and the development of quality improvement strategies is paramount, especially in the service-oriented discipline of anaesthesiology. ⋯ For this manuscript, we review recent literature regarding patient satisfaction in the inpatient and ambulatory anaesthesia setting. We discuss ongoing controversies and briefly digress to consider management and leadership science regarding 'customer satisfaction'.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Aug 2023
ReviewHow obesity affects the disposition of intravenous anesthetics.
Understanding the changes in drug disposition of intravenous anesthetics in patients with obesity and administering appropriate doses are critical to avoid intraoperative awareness with recall because of underdosing and over-sedation and delayed emergence due to overdosing. Pharmacokinetic simulation or target-controlled infusion (TCI) using models that have been adapted to patients with obesity are necessary to select appropriate dosing regimens. This review aimed to describe the pharmacokinetic concepts underpinning the use of intravenous anesthetics, including propofol, remifentanil, and remimazolam, in patients with obesity. ⋯ Pharmacokinetic simulations or TCI using pharmacokinetic models that account for the influence of obesity on a drug's disposition are essential to predict plasma/effect-site concentrations of intravenous anesthetics and understand the temporal profile of drug concentrations and effect in patients with obesity, particularly severe obesity.