AANA journal
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Review Case Reports
Ruptured arteriovenous malformation and subarachnoid hemorrhage during emergent cesarean delivery: a case report.
Cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are formed from a vascular plexus of direct arterial-venous connections that progressively dilate, making them prone to rupture. They are frequently asymptomatic and often remain undiagnosed until they present with associated symptoms of headaches, seizures, neurological deficits, or hemorrhages. Occurrence of headache during pregnancy and labor is associated with several diverse etiologies, making definitive diagnosis extremely difficult. This case report describes the anesthetic management of a 31-year-old laboring patient who first complained of headache, then suffered an acute subarachnoid hemorrhage secondary to rupture of a previously undiagnosed AVM during emergent cesarean delivery.
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Advanced airway practitioners in anesthesiology, emergency medicine, and prehospital care can suddenly and unexpectedly face difficult airway situations that can surface without warning during mask ventilation or tracheal intubation. Although tracheal intubation remains the "gold standard" in airway management, it is not always achievable, and, when it proves impossible, appropriate alternative interventions must be used rapidly to avoid serious morbidity or mortality. The SLAM Emergency Airway Flowchart (SEAF) is intended to prevent the 3 reported primary causes of adverse respiratory events (ie, inadequate ventilation, undetected esophageal intubation, and difficult intubation). ⋯ It is intended for use with adult patients by advanced airway practitioners competent in direct laryngoscopy, tracheal intubation, administration of airway drugs, rescue ventilation, and cricothyrotomy. The SEAF has limitations (eg, suitable only for use with adult patients, cannot be used by certain categories of rescue personnel, and depends heavily on assessment of Spo2). A unique benefit is provision of simple alternative techniques that can be used when another technique fails.
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Economic assumptions and other factors affecting the economics of nurse anesthesia education are presented in Part 2 of this 2-part column. In Part 1, published in the October 2004 issue of the AANA Journal, general economic principles and healthcare economic principles in particular were described, explained, and related to the current US healthcare system.
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The purpose of this article is to discuss the benefits, safety, and efficacy of the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) and identify the risks and misconceptions associated with LMAs when used with positive pressure ventilation (PPV). Despite the abundance of supporting evidence that LMAs may be used successfully in a variety of age groups and surgical procedures using PPV, many anesthesia providers are still reluctant to choose an LMA when PPV is needed. This reluctance emerges from the misconception that when using an LMA with mechanical ventilation, there is an increased incidence of gastric insufflation, failed ventilation, and pulmonary aspiration. When compared to other airway adjuncts, however, the LMA is a safe, effective means of delivering ventilation under anesthesia.
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Arterial catheterization for hemodynamic monitoring is used widely in clinical management. Complications of connulation have been recognized since introduction of the technique. This review examines radial, brachial, axillary, and femoral cannulation sites. ⋯ Axillary cannulation provides data closely approximating aortic pressure and poses minimal thrombotic risk but is associated with brachial plexus compression. Femoral cannulation provides a pulse contour approximating aortic with minimal thrombotic risk. There is little evidence to show increased incidence of catheter-related systemic infection at this site.