Current opinion in anaesthesiology
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Feb 2019
ReviewSodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors: an overview and perioperative implications.
Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors are a relatively new class of drugs used in the management of diabetes mellitus. This review will highlight key pharmacologic characteristics of this class of drugs; discuss their potential role in management of patients with cardiac disease; and raise several perioperative concerns for anesthesiologists caring for patients on SGLT-2 inhibitors. ⋯ SGLT 2 inhibitors are being increasingly prescribed secondary to their significant salutatory effect in patients with type II diabetes mellitus. Although there are no perioperative consensus guidelines for management of patients on SGLT2 inhibitors, they should be discontinued at least 24-48 h prior to major surgeries. Their overall management in the perioperative period should be carried out on a case-to-case basis using a multidisciplinary approach.
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The current review focuses on precise anesthesia for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) with the goal of enhanced recovery. ⋯ The determining factors in designing a precise anesthesic for VATS operations involve consensus on patients' tolerance of the associated side effects, the best practice or techniques for surgery and anesthesia, the required postoperative support, and the care team's experience.
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Lung resection provides the best outcome for patients with early stage lung cancer. However, lung cancer surgery carries a significant risk of perioperative complications. Patient risk may be reduced by addressing modifiable risk factors in the preoperative period. We review how this can be achieved through preoperative rehabilitation pathways. ⋯ Lung cancer surgery carries significant risk of postoperative pulmonary complications. Through integrating prehabilitation interventions into lung cancer pathways, there are opportunities to improve long-term outcomes for patients.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Feb 2019
ReviewA surgical perspective of ERAS guidelines in thoracic surgery.
Guidelines for enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) have recently been published for lung surgery. Although some of the recommendations are generic or focused on anesthetic and nursing care, other recommendations are more specific to a thoracic surgeon's practice. The present review concentrates on the surgical approach, optimal chest drain management, and the importance of early mobilization. ⋯ The use of ERAS after lung surgery has the potential to improve patient outcomes. Although specific surgical elements are in the minority, thoracic surgeons should be involved in all aspects of perioperative care as part of the wider multidisciplinary team.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Feb 2019
ReviewBiomarkers and postoperative cognitive function: could it be that easy?
Neurocognitive dysfunction after surgery is highly relevant in the elderly. The multifactorial manner of this syndrome has made it hard to define an ideal biomarker to predict individual risk and assess diagnosis and severity of delirium [postoperative delirium (POD)] and subsequent postoperative cognitive decline (POCD). This review summarizes recent literature on blood biomarkers for POD/POCD. ⋯ Single markers for postoperative cognitive impairment cannot predict POD/POCD in geriatric patients. However, a wisely arranged battery of promising biomarkers might achieve a satisfying sensitivity and specificity for the preoperative assessment of subsequent cognitive decline. Adequately powered studies to prove this hypothesis are required.