Canadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d'anesthésie
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Observational Study
The use of point-of-care ultrasound to diagnose patent foramen ovale in elective hip and knee arthroplasty patients and its association with postoperative delirium.
Hip and knee arthroplasty surgeries are associated with embolism of materials such as air, cement, and fat. Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a common congenital cardiac condition that has been reported to lead to paradoxical embolism. This observational study aimed to investigate if the presence of a PFO was associated with an increased risk of postoperative delirium in patients undergoing primary elective hip or knee arthroplasties. ⋯ Given the very low incidence of PFO and postoperative delirium in this study, we could not form any conclusions regarding the impact of a PFO on important outcomes including delirium or other major adverse events. No recommendation can be made regarding screening for PFO in patients scheduled for lower extremity arthroplasty surgery.
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Although multiple treatments have been advocated for complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), the levels of supportive evidence are variable and sometimes limited. The purpose of this updated review is to provide a critical analysis of the evidence pertaining to the treatment of CRPS derived from recent randomized-controlled trials (RCTs). ⋯ Since our prior systematic review article (published in 2010), 35 RCTs related to CRPS have been reported. Nevertheless, the quality of trials remains variable. Therefore, further research is required to continue investigating possible treatments for CRPS.
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While extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is an effective method of oxygenation for patients with respiratory failure, further refinement of its incorporation into airway guidelines is needed. We present a case of severe glottic stenosis from advanced thyroid carcinoma in which gas exchange was facilitated by veno-arterial ECMO prior to achieving a definitive airway. We also conducted a systematic review of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Web of Science databases, using the keywords "airway/ tracheal obstruction", "anesthesia", "extracorporeal", and "cardiopulmonary bypass" to identify reports where ECMO was initiated as the a priori method of oxygenation during difficult airway management. ⋯ While most practitioners are familiar with the fundamental airway techniques of bag-mask ventilation, supraglottic airway use, tracheal intubation, and front-of-neck airway access for oxygenation, these techniques have limitations in managing patients with pre-existing severe airway obstruction. The use of ECMO should be considered in patients with severe (or near-complete) airway obstruction secondary to anterior neck or tracheal disease. This approach can provide essential tissue oxygenation while attempts to secure a definitive airway are carried out in a controlled environment.
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Letter Randomized Controlled Trial
Can we prevent significant brain desaturation during defibrillator testing by increasing the brain saturation reserve?