Current opinion in anaesthesiology
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Emergence delirium in children is still considered as a mysterious complication occurring after pediatric anesthesia. Although the pharmacology of fast-acting volatile agent is highly suspected in the genesis of this complication, no strong evidence has been published to support this hypothesis. This review summarizes the recent findings concerning this complication. ⋯ Emergence delirium in children is a frequent but preventable complication. Strategies for prevention and therapy include particularly pain management and medication with alpha-2 agonists.
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The management of atrial fibrillation has seen marked changes in recent years. This is the result of better knowledge of the pathophysiology and risks factors for atrial fibrillation, better stratification for thromboembolic and bleeding risks, changing practices in anticoagulation management, and the development of new antiarrhythmic drugs. This article focuses on these new issues, with particular attention to their relevance in the perioperative period. ⋯ Better knowledge of the pathophysiology of atrial fibrillation and improved awareness of the risks associated with this frequent arrhythmia are continuing to improve the management of patients with chronic atrial fibrillation and new-onset atrial fibrillation in the perioperative period. As with most complex disease processes, treatment decisions must be individualized for each patient and clinical context.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Jun 2014
ReviewTrends in healthcare and the role of the anesthesiologist in the perioperative surgical home - the US perspective.
Although advances in science are important, changes in population structure and developments in health policy have equally critical roles in shaping the future of anesthesia practice. Therefore, it is important for anesthesiologists to be aware of these trends and their implications. ⋯ Global demographic and health policy trends are calling for new models of healthcare delivery. Anesthesiologists have much experience in the fields of risk assessment and quality improvement. They are well positioned to become leaders in the perioperative care environment of the future.
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Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) has a high incidence in children and requires prophylactic and therapeutic strategies. ⋯ Concluding from the existing guidelines and data on the handling of PONV in children at least 3 years, the following recommendations are given: outpatients undergoing small procedures should receive a single prophylaxis, outpatients at high risk a double prophylaxis, inpatients with surgery time of more than 30 min and use of postoperative opioids should get double prophylaxis, and inpatients receiving a high-risk surgical procedure or with other risk factors a triple prophylaxis (two drugs and total intravenous anesthesia). Dimenhydrinate can be used as a second choice, whereas droperidol and metoclopramide can only be recommended as rescue therapy.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Jun 2014
ReviewThe perioperative management of patients maintained on medications used to manage opioid addiction.
The substantial increase in prescription and illicit opioid abuse observed over the last 2 decades has significantly increased the number of patients in recovery from addiction and now maintained on opioid replacement or agonist therapy. These patients present unique challenges to perioperative pain management. ⋯ When possible, patients maintained on buprenorphine should be evaluated preoperatively to assess the feasibility of discontinuing the buprenorphine 72 h before surgery. If buprenorphine is continued during the perioperative period, patients may require significantly increased doses of standard opioids for analgesia. Patients maintained on methadone are at increased risk for respiratory-related complications and should receive a higher level of monitoring during the perioperative period. Patients who are on chronic methadone should continue their maintenance dose during the perioperative period. Where possible, nonopioid medications and regional anesthetic blockade are effective alternatives for analgesia in this population.