Anesthesia and analgesia
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Jul 2024
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Pragmatic Clinical TrialLoss-of-Resistance Versus Dynamic Pressure-Sensing Technology for Successful Placement of Thoracic Epidural Catheters: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
The traditional loss-of-resistance (LOR) technique for thoracic epidural catheter placement can be associated with a high primary failure rate. In this study, we compared the traditional LOR technique and dynamic pressure-sensing (DPS) technology for primary success rate and secondary outcomes pertinent to identifying the thoracic epidural space. ⋯ Our trial did not establish the superiority of the DPS technique over the traditional LOR method for identifying the thoracic epidural space ( Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT03826186).
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Jul 2024
ReviewIdentifying, Understanding, and Minimizing Unconscious Cognitive Biases in Perioperative Crisis Management: A Narrative Review.
Rapid clinical decision-making behavior is often based on pattern recognition and other mental shortcuts. Although such behavior is often faster than deliberative thinking, it can also lead to errors due to unconscious cognitive biases (UCBs). UCBs may contribute to inaccurate diagnoses, hamper interpersonal communication, trigger inappropriate clinical interventions, or result in management delays. ⋯ Formal didactic training on concepts of deliberative thinking has had limited success in reducing the presence of UCBs during clinical decision-making. The evolution of clinical decision support tools (CDSTs) has demonstrated efficacy in improving deliberative clinical decision-making, possibly by reducing the intrusion of maladaptive UCBs and forcing reflective thinking. Anesthesiology remains a leader in perioperative crisis simulation and CDST implementation, but spearheading innovations to reduce the adverse impact of UCBs will further improve diagnostic precision and patient safety during perioperative crisis management.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Jul 2024
Randomized Controlled TrialA Pilot Study of Renin-Guided Angiotensin-II Infusion to Reduce Kidney Stress After Cardiac Surgery.
Vasoplegia is common after cardiac surgery, is associated with hyperreninemia, and can lead to acute kidney stress. We aimed to conduct a pilot study to test the hypothesis that, in vasoplegic cardiac surgery patients, angiotensin-II (AT-II) may not increase kidney stress (measured by [TIMP-2]*[IGFBP7]). ⋯ The infusion of AT-II for 12 hours appears feasible and did not lead to an increase in kidney stress in a high-risk cohort of cardiac surgery patients. These findings support the cautious continued investigation of AT-II as a vasopressor in hyperreninemic cardiac surgery patients.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Jul 2024
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyPalpation Versus Ultrasonography for Identifying the Cricothyroid Membrane in Case of a Laterally Deviated Larynx: A Randomized Trial.
Large neck circumference and displacement of the trachea due to pathology increase the risk of failed identification of the cricothyroid membrane and cricothyroidotomy. We investigated whether ultrasound aids in the successful identification of the cricothyroid membrane in a model of an obese neck with midline deviation of the trachea. ⋯ Identification of the cricothyroid membrane in a model of an obese neck with midline deviation of the trachea was more often successful with ultrasound compared to palpation. Our study supports the potential use of ultrasound before induction of anesthesia and airway management in this group of patients, and it may even be applied in emergency situations when ultrasound is readily available. Further studies in human subjects should be conducted.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Jul 2024
ReviewAnesthetic Mechanisms: Synergistic Interactions With Lipid Rafts and Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels.
Despite successfully utilizing anesthetics for over 150 years, the mechanism of action remains relatively unknown. Recent studies have shown promising results, but due to the complex interactions between anesthetics and their targets, there remains a clear need for further mechanistic research. We know that lipophilicity is directly connected to anesthetic potency since lipid solubility relates to anesthetic partition into the membrane. ⋯ However, more research is needed to elucidate the indirect mechanisms associated with channel disruption through the lipid raft, as not much is known about anionic lipid products and their influence over voltage-gated sodium channels. Anesthetics' effect on S-palmitoylation, a promising mechanism for direct and indirect influence over voltage-gated sodium channels, is another auspicious avenue of research. Understanding the mechanisms of different types of anesthetics will allow anesthesiologists greater flexibility and more specificity when treating patients.