Minerva anestesiologica
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Minerva anestesiologica · Mar 2014
ReviewMechanical circulatory support for acute heart failure in 2013: an update on available devices, indications and results.
Severe acute heart failure often requires some form of mechanical support to circulation. The use of intraaortic balloon counterpulsation in postinfarction cardiogenic shock - perhaps the most common scenario of this kind - has been recently questioned in the IABP SHOCK trial. ⋯ Moreover, advances in technology and a reducing number of donors are leading to more extended indications to the implantation of ventricular assist devices. Herein, we offer a focused review on recent articles dealing with mechanical support to circulation in acute heart failure, which we found relevant in terms of their possible impact on therapeutic strategies and indication.
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Minerva anestesiologica · Mar 2014
Management program decreases postoperative nausea and vomiting in high-risk and in general surgical patients: a quality improvement cycle.
Preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a major priority for postsurgical patient care. Our objective was to assess the efficacy of a multimodal postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) approach, which was associated with a continuous quality improvement program, in maintaining a low PONV incidence in the PACU. ⋯ We highlight the association with a sharp decrease in PONV incidence over a one-year period and a multimodal PONV approach using feedback to clinicians associated with continuous quality improvement program.