Minerva anestesiologica
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Minerva anestesiologica · Jan 2021
ReviewExtracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (eCPR). Tool or toy?
Neurological outcome and quality of live are of uttermost interest in survivors of cardiac arrest. Assuming acceptable rates of return of spontaneous circulation, the long-term effects on neurological function and quality of live after cardiopulmonary resuscitation remain unsatisfactory. ⋯ Due to the risk of procedure related complications and ethical issues, this technique should be only performed in selected patients by specially trained and experienced teams. In this review we aimed at providing an insight into the sparse evidence in this field and discussing ethical issues associated with the use of eCPR.
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Minerva anestesiologica · Jan 2021
Observational StudyAirways ultrasound in predicting difficult face mask ventilation.
Unanticipated difficult airway is a potentially life-threatening event during elective surgery or management of critical conditions. Nevertheless, predicting difficult mask ventilation currently remains a challenge due to the poor sensitivity of available clinical tests. Our primary goal was to verify whether preoperative upper airway ultrasound measurements were useful to predict difficult face mask ventilation. Our secondary goal was to evaluate clinical characteristics and differences between patients who are difficult to ventilate and patients who are not. ⋯ Airways ultrasound evaluation could be an important tool to predict difficult mask ventilation. Further studies are necessary to validate the parameters found and correlate them to the preoperative clinical evaluation.
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Minerva anestesiologica · Jan 2021
ReviewPregnancy and COVID-19: what anesthesiologists should know?
Anesthetic management of parturients with COVID-19 is a big challenge to anesthesiologists. Limited data are available about COVID-19 during pregnancy; however, information on illnesses associated with SARS and MERS might provide insights into COVID-19's effects during pregnancy. ⋯ Principles to minimize the risk of infection as well as optimize patients' safety during obstetric anesthesia were found to include careful evaluation, tight protection, and multi-discipline-based strategy. Though vertical transmission of COVID-19 still needs more definitive evidence, strict isolation is necessary for the newborn of COVID-19 mothers. Psychological support for the parturients is also an important issue during COVID-19 pandemic.