Current opinion in anaesthesiology
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General recommendations for the perioperative management of patients with hypertensive disease have not evolved much over the past 20 years, yet new pathophysiological concepts have emerged and new monitoring techniques are available today. In this review, we will discuss their significance and potential role in the modern perioperative care of hypertensive patients. ⋯ Hypertension is highly prevalent in patients presenting for surgery yet its impact on surgical outcome is still debated. Guidelines on risk stratification and perioperative hemodynamic management of patients with hypertensive disease remain sparse and cannot rely much on solid new evidence. Target organ damage associated with hypertensive disease rather than high BP per se appears to determine perioperative risk. In the absence of new data, an individualized and pathophysiology-based approach to control BP may be the best option to guide these patients through the perioperative period.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Jun 2016
ReviewDoes major surgery induce immune suppression and increase the risk of postoperative infection?
Infection is the commonest cause of a postoperative complication. Following major surgery alterations in immune function are commonplace and these may contribute to an enhanced susceptibility to acquire nosocomial infections. This review will discuss postoperative infections in the context of an altered perioperative immune response and the factors influencing this response. ⋯ Point of care tests are emerging that allow monitoring of the perioperative immune response. These could be further developed to introduce personalised care pathways. Consideration must also be given to anaesthesia techniques and perioperative treatments that may be associated with poor outcomes through immune modulation.
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Anemia remains a global health issue. This review addresses the recent findings on anemia in surgical patients and its significance in perioperative setting. ⋯ Active screening for anemia and proper management of it in perioperative setting is essential. Several strategies to prevent anemia - including elimination of unnecessary diagnostic blood draws - are effective and reasonable approaches.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Jun 2016
ReviewThe impact of glycaemic variability on the surgical patient.
Diabetes is the most prevalent long-term metabolic condition and its incidence continues to increase unabated. Patients with diabetes are overrepresented in the surgical population. It has been well recognized that poor perioperative diabetes control is associated with poor surgical outcomes. The outcomes are worst for those people who were not recognized as having hyperglycaemia. ⋯ glycaemic control remains an important consideration in the surgical patient.
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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.