Anesthesiology
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Board certification is often used as a surrogate indicator of provider competence, although few outcome studies have demonstrated its validity. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of patients who underwent surgical procedures under the care of an anesthesiologist with or without board certification. ⋯ When anesthesiology board certification is very common, as in midcareer practitioners, the lack of board certification is associated with worse outcomes. However, the poor outcomes associated with noncertified providers may be a result of the hospitals at which they practice and not necessarily their manner of practice.
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Clinical Trial
Pharmacokinetics of bupivacaine during postoperative epidural infusion: enantioselectivity and role of protein binding.
Changing plasma protein concentrations may affect the protein binding and pharmacokinetics of drugs in the postoperative period. This study examined the effect of postoperative increases (in response to surgery) in plasma alpha1-acid-glycoprotein (AAG) concentrations on the plasma concentrations of the enantiomers of bupivacaine during continuous epidural infusion of racemic bupivacaine for postoperative pain relief. ⋯ The study confirmed that the pharmacokinetics of bupivacaine are enantioselective. During postoperative epidural infusion, changing plasma AAG concentrations affect the protein binding of both enantiomers of bupivacaine. Consequently, total plasma concentrations of the enantiomers increase with time, whereas unbound concentrations reach a plateau.
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The authors determined the influence of cuff volume and anatomic location on pharyngeal, esophageal, and tracheal mucosal pressures for the esophageal tracheal combitube. ⋯ We conclude that mucosal pressures for the esophageal tracheal combitube increase with cuff volume, are highest where the cuff is adjacent to rigid anatomic structures, and potentially exceed mucosal perfusion pressure even when cuff volumes are limited to achieving an oropharyngeal seal of 30 cm H2O.
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It has been generally considered that supraspinal morphine activates the serotonergic descending inhibitory system and releases serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT]) in the spinal cord, producing antinociception through activation of 5-HT receptors. The involvement of a spinal gamma-aminobutyric acid-mediated (GABAergic) system is also suggested in supraspinal morphine antinociception. It has been reported that spinal GABAergic system contributes to 5-HT3 receptor-mediated antinociception. In this study, the authors investigated the contribution of spinal 5-HT3 receptor and the GABAergic system in the intracerebroventricular morphine-induced antinociception. ⋯ Intracerebroventricular morphine evokes spinal GABA release via the activation of 5-HT3 receptors in the spinal cord, resulting in antinociceptive effect.
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There is limited information about the frequency of perioperative complications after elective primary orthopedic total hip and knee arthroplasty in contemporary practice. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of clinically relevant myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism, deep venous thrombosis, and death within 30 days after elective primary hip or knee arthroplasty treated according to contemporary perioperative management. ⋯ The overall frequency of serious complications within 30 days after primary total hip or knee arthroplasty with contemporary practice was 2.2%. Accurate knowledge of the perioperative risks associated with widely performed elective operations can be used to implement management strategies that may further improve patient outcomes and decrease cost.