Articles: function.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Jun 2018
ReviewWorld Health Organization-World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists (WHO-WFSA) International Standards for a Safe Practice of Anesthesia.
The International Standards for a Safe Practice of Anesthesia were developed on behalf of the World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists (WFSA), a nonprofit organization representing anesthesiologists in 150 countries, and the World Health Organization (WHO). The recommendations have been approved by WHO and the membership of WFSA. These Standards are applicable to all anesthesia providers throughout the world. ⋯ The Standards cover professional aspects; facilities and equipment; medications and intravenous fluids; monitoring; and the conduct of anesthesia. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED standards, the functional equivalent of mandatory standards, include (amongst other things): the continuous presence of a trained and vigilant anesthesia provider; continuous monitoring of tissue oxygenation and perfusion by clinical observation and a pulse oximeter; intermittent monitoring of blood pressure; confirmation of correct placement of an endotracheal tube (if used) by auscultation and carbon dioxide detection; the use of the WHO Safe Surgery Checklist; and a system for transfer of care at the end of an anesthetic. The International Standards represent minimum standards and the goal should always be to practice to the highest possible standards, preferably exceeding the standards outlined in this document.
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Neuroimaging research has demonstrated definitive involvement of the central nervous system in the development, maintenance, and experience of chronic pain. Structural and functional neuroimaging has helped elucidate central nervous system contributors to chronic pain in humans. Neuroimaging of pain has provided a tool for increasing our understanding of how pharmacologic and psychologic therapies improve chronic pain. ⋯ Future advances in neuroimaging-based therapeutics (e.g., transcranial magnetic stimulation, real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging neurofeedback) may provide additional benefits for clinical practice. In the future, with standardization and validation, brain imaging could provide objective biomarkers of chronic pain, and guide treatment for personalized pain management. Similarly, brain-based biomarkers may provide an additional predictor of perioperative prognoses.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Jun 2018
ReviewPerioperative Management of the Patient With a Left Ventricular Assist Device for Noncardiac Surgery.
The pandemic of heart failure and the limited options for treatment of end-stage disease have resulted in an increase in the utilization of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs). Improvements in device technology and patient survival have led to an expanding population of patients requiring noncardiac surgery while on LVAD therapy, thus leading to a growing need for familiarity with the physiology of these patients. This review describes the functional mechanics of the most prevalent continuous-flow LVAD, the HeartMate II, and focuses on perioperative anesthetic concerns.
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As seen in this CME online activity (available at http://journal.cme.chestnet.org/sv-sleep-disorder), central sleep apnea (CSA) is associated with increased mortality in patients with heart failure (HF), and it has been thought that treatment of CSA may improve underlying HF. Positive airway pressure therapy, specifically auto-servoventilation (ASV), can not only suppress abnormal breathing patterns but has been reported to improve cardiac function in HF patients with CSA. In patients with HF and with CSA unsuppressed with CPAP, newer ASV use has been associated with significant CSA improvement; in addition, several studies have reported efficacy of ASV in the treatment of underlying cardiac dysfunction in HF patients with CSA. ⋯ However, until this is done, there is an urgent educational need for review of the approved labeling and validated clinical use of ASV within the medical community. The purpose of this educational activity is to review the appropriate use of ASV for the treatment of sleep-disordered breathing, including Cheyne-Stokes respiration, treatment-emergent central apnea, and opioid-induced periodic breathing. Emphasis will be placed on proper patient and therapy selection, especially in patients with HF.
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Critical care medicine · May 2018
Review Case ReportsNonejecting Hearts on Femoral Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: Aortic Root Blood Stasis and Thrombus Formation-A Case Series and Review of the Literature.
Cardiogenic shock constitutes the final common pathway of cardiac dysfunction associated with tissue hypoperfusion and organ failure. Besides treatment of the underlying cause, temporary mechanical circulatory support serves as a supportive measure. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation can effectively prevent hypoxemia and end-organ dysfunction, but knowledge about patient selection, risks, and complications remains sparse. ⋯ Patients in cardiogenic shock who require femoral veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support are at risk of developing a state of nonejecting heart with thrombus formation in the aortic root. Echocardiography is the cornerstone of diagnosis and documentation of treatment effects. Depending on the likelihood of the presence of clinically relevant thrombotic material in the aortic root, we propose a treatment algorithm for this group of high-risk patients.