Der Anaesthesist
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Since the introduction of intraoperative echocardiography into clinical practice in the 1970's its use and utility in the perioperative period has become increasingly more evident. Especially in patients undergoing cardiac surgical procedures intraoperative echocardiography has gained great diagnostic importance. Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and epiaortic ultrasound are two important and complementing diagnostic modalities in this patient population. ⋯ In addition TEE can be performed during ongoing cardiopulmonary resuscitation and does not interfere with patient management. This review introduces the clinician to the current evidence of the impact of intraoperative echocardiography on intraoperative surgical decisions during surgical procedures. It helps the clinician to identify indications and realize the potential applications of intraoperative echocardiography.
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The new version of the guidelines, which have now been renamed Cross-sectional guidelines on therapy with blood components and plasma derivatives, is distinguished by focusing on key recommendations. In each section clear recommendations for the selection and indications for the use of each blood product are presented and these recommendations are classified with respect to their strength and evidence level. The most important recommendations in section 1 "Erythrocyte concentrates", which is especially important for the faculty of anesthesiology, will be presented in this article with special reference to the data on which the recommendations are based.
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The treatment of out-of-hospital palliative emergency care situations during cardiac arrest is a special situation. The prehospital emergency physician (EP) and the paramedic must be informed about the medical, legal, and ethical specifics of these situations, but this knowledge is not integrated within emergency medical curricula at all. We present a case study to discuss such legal and ethical specifics. ⋯ Every EP and paramedic may be involved in the care of palliative care patients who are at the end of their lives. EPs and paramedics do not always adapt their treatment to the will or supposed will of the patient (especially in accordance with the new German law concerning advance directives). The reasons for this usually concern legal uncertainties. Therefore, EPs and paramedics should know that different legal meanings could be important in emergency medical care therapy of palliative care patients. A written "do not resuscitate" order as an advance directive must be evaluated as a desired therapeutic limitation.
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A case of extreme metabolic acidosis (pH 6.6) and severe hypothermia (27.3 degrees C) is reported. The patient's anamnesis and medical examination led to the assumption of ketoacidosis. Pronounced ketoacidosis is not unusual in juvenile diabetics type 1 and the incidence in Europe is reported to be between 15 and 70% for all type 1 diabetics. The case describes the targeted therapy of controlled re-warming to avoid neurological damage.
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In recent years a new understanding of trauma-associated hemorrhaging and trauma-induced coagulopathy has been achieved. This coagulopathy is multifactorial with the predominant mechanisms being tissue trauma, shock and hypoperfusion which can lead to hyperfibrinolysis by activation of the endothelium. Routinely tested coagulation parameters, such as prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin time, are frequently employed for decision making but remain problematic as they do not give any information on clot stability, lysis or platelet function. ⋯ Because hyperfibrinolysis occurs more often than previously assumed during severe trauma, an anti-fibrinolytic therapy should be used especially for patients with an instable circulation. The platelet count should not go below 100,000/microl when hemorrhaging occurs after multiple trauma. For thrombocytopathic patients with diffuse bleeding desmopressin (DDAVP) is a therapeutic option and the "off label" use of recombinant activated factor VIIa (rFVIIa) remains an option for individual situations with stringent indications and when the above named measures to optimize the coagulation situation have been taken.