Journal of anesthesia
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Cerebral injury following cardiac surgery continues to be a significant source of morbidity and mortality after cardiac surgery. A spectrum of injuries ranging from subtle neurocognitive dysfunction to fatal strokes are caused by a complex series of multifactorial mechanisms. Protecting the brain from these injuries has focused on intervening on each of the various etiologic factors. Although numerous studies have focused on a pharmacologic solution, more success has been found with nonpharmacologic strategies, including optimal temperature management and reducing emboli generation.
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Pharmacological preconditioning with volatile anesthetics, or anesthetic-induced preconditioning (APC), is a phenomenon whereby a brief exposure to volatile anesthetic agents protects the heart from the potentially fatal consequences of a subsequent prolonged period of myocardial ischemia and reperfusion. Although not completely elucidated, the cellular and molecular mechanisms of APC appear to mimic those of ischemic preconditioning, the most powerful endogenous cardioprotective mechanism. This article reviews recently accumulated evidence underscoring the importance of mitochondria, reactive oxygen species, and K(ATP) channels in cardioprotective signaling by volatile anesthetics. Moreover, the article addresses current concepts and controversies regarding the specific roles of the mitochondrial and the sarcolemmal K(ATP) channels in APC.
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Journal of anesthesia · Jan 2007
ReviewPrevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting in children following adenotonsillectomy, using tropisetron with or without low-dose dexamethasone.
Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) after adenotonsillectomy in children is, in spite of the prophylactic administration of tropisetron, still a frequent event. The aim of this study was to evaluate the benefit of the additional systemic administration of low-dose dexamethasone (0.15 mg x kg(-1)) for the prevention of PONV. ⋯ A low-dose bolus of dexamethasone (0.15 mg x kg(-1)) in combination with tropisetron, compared to tropisetron alone, considerably reduced the incidence of vomiting in children following pediatric adenotonsillectomy.
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Journal of anesthesia · Jan 2007
ReviewAdvances in obstetric anesthesia: anesthesia for fetal intrapartum operations on placental support.
Fetal intrapartum operations on placental support (OOPS), also known as ex-utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) procedures, are very rare (and often challenging) surgical techniques designed to allow partial delivery (cesarean section) of a fetus with a potentially difficult airway, with subsequent management of the neonatal airway (direct laryngoscopy, fiberoptic bronchoscopy, or tracheostomy) while oxygenation is continuously maintained via the placenta (on placental support). The peripartum management of pregnant women and their fetuses undergoing OOPS is very complex and multidisciplinary, and differs greatly from that of standard cesarean sections. The goal of this article is to review the current recommendations for the peripartum anesthetic management of pregnant women carrying fetuses with fetal congenital malformations undergoing OOPS.