AANA journal
-
Protamine sulfate is used during coronary artery bypass graft surgery to reverse the anticoagulating effects of heparin. Vasoplegic syndrome is a state of endothelial dysregulation that produces profound vasodilatation that is refractory to vasopressors. This syndrome leads to systemic hypoperfusion and may progress to death. ⋯ A dramatic increase in blood pressure resulted almost immediately after administration of methylene blue. This patient had no prior risk factors for a protamine reaction other than her current cardiac surgery. A review of the pathophysiologic characteristics associated with vasoplegia and the pharmacodynamics of methylene blue will potentially enable anesthesia providers to utilize this lifesaving drug when needed.
-
Clinical Trial
Implementation of an evidence-based extubation checklist to reduce extubation failure in patients with trauma: a pilot study.
This prospective, case-controlled observational study assessed whether an evidence-based extubation checklist would increase anesthesia providers' documentation of standardized extubation criteria and reduce the occurrence of preventable extubation failures in the early postoperative period. The sample consisted of 622 ASA Physical Status I to IV patients, aged 10 to 100 years but primarily adults, who underwent elective and emergency surgeries at a university-based adult trauma teaching hospital. Before the study, all anesthesia and postanesthesia care unit staff received an in-service on adherence to an evidence-based extubation checklist, followed by implementation of the checklist for 12 weeks. ⋯ Following use of the extubation checklist, documentation of patient readiness for extubation increased from 54% to 92.5%, and extubation failures decreased from 2.5 per month to 7.2 per month. This study confirmed that extubation failure occurred less frequently when the extubation checklist was used (P = .001, Fisher exact test). Study results indicate that an extubation checklist may positively influence provider documentation of evidence-based criteria for extubation and can reduce the occurrence of preventable extubation failures.
-
The purpose of this course is to update nurse anesthetists about anesthetic-induced anaphylaxis. This course discusses the pathophysiologic process of anaphylaxis with descriptions of the allergic immune response and the mediators and mechanisms of mast cell activation. ⋯ Furthermore, the identification of the severity grade of hypersensitivity reactions and the appropriate treatment of perioperative anaphylaxis is discussed. In addition, postoperative and follow-up interventions, including testing for patients who have had an anesthetic-induced hypersensitivity reaction, are considered.
-
Little research has been done on the effects that topical intratracheal anesthesia have on the length of time required to successfully extubate patients after surgical interventions. This retrospective case-control study, using a convenience sample (n = 100 patients), explored the effects of using topical lidocaine laryngotracheal anesthesia injected into the adult trachea before insertion of the endotracheal tube on patients undergoing surgical treatment for blockage of the carotid artery. ⋯ Results revealed that the use of lidocaine laryngotracheal anesthesia during induction of anesthesia prolonged the mean times for postoperative removal of the endotracheal tube by nearly 2 minutes. Extended time for removal of endotracheal tubes may lead to increased costs to the healthcare institution and to the patient, which in turn may lead to dissatisfaction within healthcare teams and possibly to patient discontent with care provided.
-
Abuse and dependency on potent opioids have long been recognized as problems among nurse anesthetists and anesthesiologists. Research has provided insight into the incidence of abuse, risk factors associated with this type of dependency, identification of an impaired provider, treatment for abuse and dependency, and prevention strategies. ⋯ There is research supporting successful reentry of anesthesia providers into the practice of anesthesia; however, research also reveals high relapse rates among anesthesia providers who return to the practice of anesthesia. This article reviews the literature regarding opioid abuse and dependency among nurse anesthetists and anesthesiologists and offers implications for future research.