Journal of neurosurgical anesthesiology
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J Neurosurg Anesthesiol · Jan 2020
ReviewAnesthesia and Cognitive Outcome in Elderly Patients: A Narrative Viewpoint.
Better ways to manage preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative care of surgical patients is the bailiwick of anesthesiologists. Although we care for patients of all ages, protecting the cognitive capacity of elderly patients more frequently requires procedures and practices that go beyond routine care for nonelderly adults. This narrative review will consider current understanding of the reasons that elderly patients need enhanced care, and recommendations for that care based on established and recent empirical research. In that latter regard, unless and until we are able to classify anesthetic neurotoxicity as a rare complication, the first-do-no-harm approach should: (1) add anesthesia to surgical intervention on the physiological cost side of the cost/benefit ratio when making decisions about whether and when to proceed with surgery; (2) minimize anesthetic depth and periods of electroencephalographic suppression; (3) limit the duration of continuous anesthesia whenever possible; (4) consider the possibility that regional anesthesia with deep sedation may be as neurotoxic as general anesthesia; and (5) when feasible, use regional anesthesia with light or no sedation.
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J Neurosurg Anesthesiol · Oct 2019
ReviewPerspectives on Dexmedetomidine Use for Neurosurgical Patients.
The α2-adrenergic receptor agonist dexmedetomidine has sedative, anxiolytic, analgesic, and sympatholytic effects. The potential advantages of neuroprotection, minimal impact on neuronal function, stable hemodynamics, opioid and anesthesia sparing effects, and minimal respiratory depression during awake procedures render it an effective anesthetic adjuvant in various neurosurgical settings. However, both the benefits and drawbacks of the use dexmedetomidine in neuroanesthesia should be considered. This narrative review will summarize the applications of dexmedetomidine in various neurosurgical settings, highlighting evidence regarding both its common and controversial uses.
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J Neurosurg Anesthesiol · Oct 2019
ReviewCan Cerebral Near-infrared Spectroscopy Predict Cerebral Ischemic Events in Neurosurgical Patients? A Narrative Review of the Literature.
Cerebral near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is considered a valuable noninvasive modality for cerebral oxygenation monitoring during cardiovascular surgery and cardiac arrest. We assessed the capability of cerebral NIRS to predict cerebral desaturation and the related neurological outcomes in neurosurgical patients. A literature search in different electronic medical databases was performed from inception to January 2018. ⋯ The qualitative assessment showed controversial data on the threshold value of cerebral near-infrared spectroscopy used for detecting cerebral ischemia in neurosurgical patients. The evidence on the selected studies is not strong enough, at the moment, to recommend cerebral NIRS as a mandatory monitor to detect cerebral deoxygenation able to predict the future neurological outcome in neurosurgical patients. Further studies are needed to validate a threshold value for cerebral ischemia and the relationship between NIRS-detected cerebral desaturation and clinical outcome in the neurosurgical population.
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J Neurosurg Anesthesiol · Jul 2019
Meta AnalysisMannitol in Critical Care and Surgery Over 50+ Years: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials and Complications With Meta-Analysis.
Despite clinical use spanning 50+ years, questions remain concerning the optimal use of mannitol. The published reviews with meta-analysis frequently focused on mannitol's effects on a specific physiological aspect such as intracranial pressure (ICP) in sometimes heterogeneous patient populations. A comprehensive review of mannitol's effects, as well as side effects, is needed. ⋯ Mannitol is effective in accomplishing short-term clinical goals, although hypertonic saline is associated with improved brain relaxation during craniotomy. Mannitol has a favorable safety profile although it can cause electrolyte abnormality and renal impairment. More research is needed to determine its impacts on long-term outcomes.
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The fragile X premutation is characterized by a repeat expansion mutation (between 55 to 200 CGG repeats) in the fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene, which leads to RNA toxicity at the cellular level. This may cause patients with the premutation to be particularly susceptible to environmental toxins, which could manifest clinically as new or worsening ataxia and memory loss. ⋯ This review aims to highlight previous case reports regarding sequelae related to general anesthetic use in fragile X-associated disorders. New case reports related to this phenomenon are also included.