Current opinion in anaesthesiology
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Jun 2014
ReviewIntraosseous infusion in elective and emergency pediatric anesthesia: when should we use it?
Difficulties to establish a venous access may also occur in routine pediatric anesthesia and lead to hazardous situations. Intraosseous infusion is a well tolerated and reliable but rarely used alternative technique in this setting. ⋯ Most problems in using an intraosseous infusion are provider-dependent. In pediatric anesthesia, the perioperative setting should further contribute to reduce these problems. Nevertheless, regular training, thorough anatomical knowledge and prompt availability especially in the pediatric age group are paramount to get a seldom used technique work properly under pressure. More longitudinal data on large cohorts were preferable to further support the safety of the intraosseous infusion technique in pediatric patients.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Jun 2014
ReviewFetal optimization during maternal sepsis: relevance and response of the obstetric anesthesiologist.
In many labor and delivery units, the obstetric anesthesiologist is often responsible for managing and stabilizing the acutely septic parturient. The management of maternal sepsis has been summarized previously; this study will focus on the implications of maternal sepsis on the fetus, and ways to optimize fetal outcomes. ⋯ In the setting of maternal sepsis, fetal optimization is frequently best accomplished by meeting maternal hemodynamic, oxygenization, and infection treatment goals. Understanding the circulatory and pathophysiologic changes that occur within the uteroplacental unit and fetus is essential to identifying and resolving potential conflicts between maternal and fetal management goals.
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The management of atrial fibrillation has seen marked changes in recent years. This is the result of better knowledge of the pathophysiology and risks factors for atrial fibrillation, better stratification for thromboembolic and bleeding risks, changing practices in anticoagulation management, and the development of new antiarrhythmic drugs. This article focuses on these new issues, with particular attention to their relevance in the perioperative period. ⋯ Better knowledge of the pathophysiology of atrial fibrillation and improved awareness of the risks associated with this frequent arrhythmia are continuing to improve the management of patients with chronic atrial fibrillation and new-onset atrial fibrillation in the perioperative period. As with most complex disease processes, treatment decisions must be individualized for each patient and clinical context.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Jun 2014
Multicenter StudyQuantifying severe maternal morbidity in Scotland: a continuous audit since 2003.
Since 2003, a continuous audit of severe maternal morbidity in Scotland has been conducted, collecting data on consistently defined events in all the consultant-led maternity units within Scotland. This review summarizes the methodology of the audit and describes some of the main results accumulated in the 10 years audited [2003-2012 (The 2012 Scottish Confidential Audit of Severe Maternal Morbidity report is yet to be published. This article refers to extracts from 2012 data where available, but on other occasions refers to data from 2003 to 2011.)]. ⋯ Some key findings are as follows: admission to an ICU is required for 1 woman in every 700 births; major obstetric haemorrhage is experienced by 1 in 172 women; cases of eclampsia have decreased during the audit; there were deficiencies in antenatal risk identification and action planning; and the direct involvement of consultant obstetricians and anaesthetists in the care of women was below those recommended by the guidelines. The audit has demonstrated changes in clinical practice and in adherence to clinical guidelines over time. The information has been used to inform clinical practice within the Scottish maternity units.