Canadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d'anesthésie
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Anesthetic management for patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is controversial. Description of the use of regional anesthesia (RA) in patients with CMT is limited. Regional anesthesia has traditionally been avoided because of risk of nerve injury. We retrospectively reviewed patients with CMT who received RA at our institution. ⋯ This study found no evidence of documented neurologic complications or an increased risk of nerve injury related to RA in CMT patients.
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Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (vvECMO) is a highly invasive technique with a high risk of mortality. Based on reports of improved outcomes in high-volume ECMO centers, we established a regional vvECMO unit. The objective of this study was to evaluate how the vvECMO unit affected patient mortality rates. ⋯ The establishment of a vvECMO unit was associated with reduced 90-day mortality. This improved survival may relate to patient selection, more specialized mechanical ventilation support, and/or improvement of vvECMO care.
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To evaluate the perceptions and practices of Canadian cardiovascular anesthesiologists and intensivists towards intravenous albumin as a resuscitation fluid in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. ⋯ The majority of Canadian anesthesiologists and intensivists (62%) use albumin in cardiac surgical patients. There is clinical equipoise regarding its utility, and an acknowledged need for higher quality evidence to guide practice.