Minerva anestesiologica
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In patients undergoing cardiac surgery, postoperative brain injury significantly contributes to increase morbidity and mortality and has negative consequences on quality of life and costs. Moreover, over the past years, compelling medical and technological improvements have allowed an even older patients' population, with several comorbidities, to be treated with cardiac surgery; however, the risk of brain injury after such interventions is also increased in these patients. With the aim of improving post-operative neurological outcome, a variety of neuromonitoring methods and devices have been introduced in clinical practice. ⋯ Some of them have been used to optimize the hemodynamic management of such patients and to select specific therapeutic interventions. Also, various pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches have been proposed to minimize the incidence of brain injury in this setting. In this review we describe the risk factors and mechanisms of cerebral injury after cardiac surgery and focus on monitoring techniques and clinical strategies that could help clinicians to minimize the incidence of brain injury.
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Acute kidney injury (AKI) represents 18-47% of all causes of hospital-acquired AKI and it is associated with a high incidence of morbidity and mortality especially in patients requiring dialysis. Only recently, with the application of new AKI classifications and guidelines (RIFLE, AKIN and KDIGO), a more accurate evaluation of the real incidence of kidney dysfunction in patients undergoing surgery has been detailed. In patients undergoing non-cardiac, non-vascular and non-thoracic surgery several independent preoperative and intraoperative predictors of AKI have been identified. ⋯ Multi-hit mechanisms (ischemia, inflammation, toxins) co-act on patients' predisposition (susceptibility). A multi-step approach is probably necessary to limit the incidence and the severity of postsurgery AKI patients, such as careful risk stratification, adoption of preventive measures and goal directed intraoperative algorithms. The present review will summarize the current literature about the epidemiology of postoperative AKI focusing on patient-related and technical-related risk factors, outcome and prevention strategies in different groups of surgeries.
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Minerva anestesiologica · May 2015
Review Meta AnalysisPharmacological treatments for acute respiratory distress syndrome: systematic review.
Our objective was to systematically review the effect of pharmacological therapies on mortality in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), focusing on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published since a previous review in 2004. ⋯ Effective pharmacotherapy for ARDS remains extremely limited. Cis-atracurium is a promising treatment for early moderate-severe ARDS (using Berlin definition nomenclature) and merits further investigation in a large RCT.
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Minerva anestesiologica · May 2015
Review Meta AnalysisThe effect of analgesic modality on outcome following open liver surgery: a systematic review of post-operative analgesia.
Postoperative analgesia following liver resection remains controversial. The traditional standard of care of thoracic epidural is increasingly questioned due to perceived associated complications and delays to recovery. Evidence supporting alternative analgesic techniques is emerging however best practice is not yet established. ⋯ Epidural offered equivalent or superior pain scores when compared to alternative techniques. In summary current evidence suggests alternative analgesic modalities may provide favorable recovery outcomes following liver surgery but consistent evidence is limited. Epidurals provide superior pain relief to alternatives but this does not translate into reduced length of stay or complication rate following liver surgery.
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Minerva anestesiologica · May 2015
ReviewOcular complications in robotic-assisted prostatectomy: a review of pathophysiology and prevention.
Ocular complications reported after robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP) include corneal abrasion and ischemic optic neuropathy. While corneal abrasions often resolve without permanent sequelae, scarring or infection can occasionally lead to vision loss and other adverse outcomes. ⋯ A review of the pathophysiology and incidence of ocular complications specific to robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy as well as the potential preventative measures in the current literature is presented to further inform and guide perioperative patient care. In addition we address other potential ocular complications and the impact of patient's ocular history on choice of RALP as a surgical treatment modality.