Current opinion in anaesthesiology
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Aug 2005
Molecular and systemic mechanisms of general anaesthesia: the 'multi-site and multiple mechanisms' concept.
Amnesia, hypnosis and immobility are essential components of general anaesthesia. This review highlights recent advances in our understanding of how these components are achieved at a molecular level. ⋯ Clinical anaesthesia is based on drug actions at multiple anatomical sites in the brain. The finding that amnesia, hypnosis and immobility involve distinct molecular targets opens new avenues for developing improved therapeutic strategies in anaesthesia.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Aug 2005
Anaesthetics and the rate corrected interval: learning from droperidol?
Understanding of the long QT syndrome continues to evolve. Anaesthesia in patients with untreated long QT syndrome carries a risk of perioperative malignant ventricular arrhythmias. Genotypically susceptible individuals may have a normal rate-corrected QT interval and present with torsade de pointes intraoperatively. The likelihood of arrhythmias can be reduced by careful preoperative preparation. Perioperative disturbances in physiological homeostasis and drugs administered can prolong the rate-corrected QT interval. ⋯ Droperidol can lead to serious cardiac arrhythmias from QT prolongation. Recent advances in the pathophysiology of congenital and acquired long QT syndrome are reviewed. Preclinical tests assessing potential new drugs for QT prolongation are briefly discussed. Considerations for the management of these patients during perioperative phases are explored. The optimal treatment of the long QT syndrome is presented along with a glimpse into future possibilities in this field.
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Cannabinoids have been known for their analgesic, anxiolytic, antiemetic and antispastic properties for many centuries. Since an endogenous cannabinoid system has been identified in the past two decades, cannabinoids have also become the focus of interest in western medicine. This review summarizes preclinical and clinical studies on the role of the endocannabinoid system and exogenous cannabinoids in anaesthesia and pain management. ⋯ In general, the results of the very few well-conducted clinical trials often diverge from the highly interesting and promising findings of preclinical studies. Taken together, the most recent preclinical and clinical data suggest that cannabinoids should be applied as low-dose co-analgesics to inhibit neuroplasticity and central sensitization rather than as analgesics in acute pain.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Aug 2005
Pediatric sedation outside the operating room: the year in review.
This review is a survey of the recent literature concerning issues and trends in the rapidly changing field of pediatric sedation. ⋯ The evolution of systems, drugs, and monitors for the provision of pediatric sedation is continuing. An accurate assessment of safety and other outcomes will be enhanced through the establishment of multicenter collaborative databases.
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The role of anesthesia outside the operating room is rapidly expanding and evolving alongside with the advances in interventional neuroradiology. Increasingly complex diagnostic and therapeutic neuroradiological procedures are being performed on sicker patients. This review provides an overview of the principles of anesthetic management and summarizes recent advances in interventional neuroradiology. ⋯ Providing anesthesia in the interventional neuroradiology suite continues to be a challenge to the anesthesiologist. Understanding the anesthetic constraints and complexities and keeping abreast of the current developments in neuroradiology are crucial in ensuring the maximal benefits to and safety of patients.