Journal of anesthesia
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Journal of anesthesia · Dec 2013
ReviewAnesthetic management of the patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), with an incidence of 1.5-2.5 for 100 000 per year, is a rare but rapid progression neuromuscular degeneration disorder that poses unique perioperatively challenges to clinical anesthesiologists. The progressive degeneration of motor neurons causes a constellation of symptoms, including muscular weakness, atrophy, fasciculations, spasticity, and hyperreflexia. Therapeutic and experimental treatments, including riluzole, beta lactams, methylcobalamin, dexpramipexole, antiepileptics, antioxidant agents, neutrophin, antiinflammatory agents, and antiapoptosis drugs, are described. ⋯ Because of the inherent muscle weakness and associated respiratory insufficiency, certain precautions must be utilized during anesthetic care of ALS patients. In particular, certain neuromuscular agents are contraindicated and anesthetics that leave the body more rapidly present logical and attractive options in this population. A solid understanding of the disease process, therapeutic interventions, and anesthesia considerations are all paramount for the successful management of a patient with ALS in the perioperative setting.
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Although rare, a change in visual acuity after surgery for nonocular procedures has devastating consequences. Increased recognition and discussion of this complication is reported in recent literature, most notably following spinal and cardiac surgery. ⋯ Here we review the incidence of the problem, the anatomy and physiology of the ocular circulation, variants of POVL, and proposed predisposing factors. Potential perioperative methods to prevent this complication are discussed, and suggested treatment modalities are presented.