Articles: anesthesia.
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Case Reports
Improving safety: neuraxial blockade guided by thromboelastography for patients with uncertain coagulation profile.
Neuraxial blockade procedures are essential for anesthesia and pain management but pose risks in patients with uncertain coagulation profiles. Traditional coagulation tests often fail to predict bleeding risks associated with neuraxial blockade. Thromboelastography (TEG) offers real-time insights into coagulation status, potentially improving safety outcomes. ⋯ Tailoring anesthetic techniques to real-time TEG data improved safety outcomes with minimized bleeding complications and satisfactory pain control. In conclusion, neuraxial blockade guided by TEG enhances safety in patients with uncertain coagulation profiles. Further studies are needed to validate benefits in broader clinical settings.
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Case Reports
Anterior spinal cord syndrome from a spinal epidural hematoma following removal of an epidural catheter.
Spinal epidural hematoma (SEH) is a rare yet significant complication associated with neuraxial anesthesia. Here, we present the case of a 74-yr-old male who underwent open repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Following the removal of an epidural catheter, the patient developed anterior spinal cord syndrome due to an SEH despite having a normal coagulation profile. ⋯ Anterior spinal cord syndrome (ASCS) represents an uncommon neurologic manifestation of SEH, which is typically characterized by a triad of back pain and sensory and motor deficits. Although the initial CT scan was necessary to diagnose the postvascular surgery complication, it did not immediately detect the SEH. In cases of ASCS subsequent to thoracic epidural placement and removal, MRI is the preferred imaging modality for precise diagnosis and assessment of the need for surgical intervention. Despite adherence to anticoagulation guidelines, patients undergoing neuraxial anesthesia may face an elevated risk of developing SEH. Health care professionals should remain vigilant in monitoring for neurologic abnormalities following epidural catheter insertion or removal, particularly in the context of vascular surgery.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Jul 2024
Comparative StudyVolatile Anesthetic Use Versus Total Intravenous Anesthesia for Patients Undergoing Heart Valve Surgery: A Nationwide Population-Based Study.
Many studies have suggested that volatile anesthetic use may improve postoperative outcomes after cardiac surgery compared to total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) owing to its potential cardioprotective effect. However, the results were inconclusive, and few studies have included patients undergoing heart valve surgery. ⋯ Compared with TIVA, volatile anesthetic use was not associated with reduced postoperative mortality risk in patients undergoing heart valve surgery. Our findings indicate that the use of volatile anesthetics does not have a significant impact on mortality after heart valve surgery. Therefore, the choice of anesthesia type can be based on the anesthesiologists' or institutional preference and experience.
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Anasthesiol Intensivmed Notfallmed Schmerzther · Jul 2024
Review[Anaesthesiological Management of Traumatic Brain Injury].
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the main cause of death in people < 45 years in industrial countries. Minimising secondary injury to the injured brain is the primary goal throughout the entire treatment. ⋯ Time management plays a crucial role in ensuring a safe anaesthesiologic environment while minimizing unnecessary procedures. Furthermore, growing medical drug pre-treatment demands for further knowledge e.g., in antagonization of anticoagulation.
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Jul 2024
Comparative StudyLocoregional Anesthesia Has Lower Risks of Cardiac Complications Than General Anesthesia After Prolonged Endovascular Repair of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms.
Although general anesthesia is the primary anesthesia in endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR), some studies suggest locoregional anesthesia could be a feasible alternative for eligible patients. However, most evidence was from retrospective studies and was subjected to an inherent selection bias that general anesthesia is often chosen for more complex and prolonged cases. To mitigate this selection bias, this study aimed to compare 30-day outcomes of prolonged, nonemergent, intact, infrarenal EVAR in patients undergoing locoregional or general anesthesia. In addition, risk factors associated with prolonged operative time in EVAR were identified. ⋯ Locoregional anesthesia can be a safe and effective alternative to general anesthesia, particularly in EVAR cases with anticipated complexity and prolonged operative times, as it offers the potential benefit of reduced cardiac complications. Risk factors associated with prolonged EVAR can aid in preoperative risk stratification and inform the decision-making process regarding anesthesia choice.