Current opinion in anaesthesiology
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Prediction of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) enables individually applied preventive measures and maybe even early treatment if a PPC eventually starts to develop. The purpose of this review is to describe crucial steps in the development and validation of prediction models, examine these steps in the current literature and describe what the future holds for PPC prediction. ⋯ Many predictive models for PPCs have been reported on. Development of more robust PPC prediction models could be supported by machine learning.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Jun 2019
ReviewCentral neurological complications following obstetric neuraxial blockade.
Central neuraxial blockade is increasingly the anaesthetic management of choice for parturients, including in higher risk pregnancies. Although they are usually effective and safe, there are potentially devastating neurological complications that may present either overtly or insidiously. A thorough understanding of the variety of potential neurological complications is essential to adequately consent patients in addition to diagnosing and managing complications following neuraxial anaesthesia. This review aims to describe a number of potential neurological injuries that may occur and suggested management based on available evidence. ⋯ Difficulty remains in establishing absolute risk of complications and optimal management strategies given the low overall number of patients affected and heterogeneity of therapy. There may be a role for centralized registration of postneuraxial complications in obstetric patients to further develop our collective understanding of these conditions.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Jun 2019
ReviewPostpartum hemorrhage revisited: new challenges and solutions.
Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality in the United States, and worldwide. Recognition of PPH is challenging, but once hemorrhage is recognized, management needs to focus on achieving adequate uterine tone and maintaining maternal hemodynamic stability. There have been several advances in the management of postpartum hemorrhage, many of which can be implemented at the labor and delivery unit level. ⋯ Although postpartum hemorrhage itself may not be preventable, early identification of blood loss, and mobilization of resources may prevent adverse outcomes. Multidisciplinary planning at the system level, ensuring that hemorrhage protocols exist, as well as for management of high-risk patients is important for improving patient outcomes.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Jun 2019
ReviewRecent advances in diabetes treatments and their perioperative implications.
The implications for perioperative management of new oral antihyperglycemic medications and new insulin treatment technologies are reviewed. ⋯ Sulfonylureas and SGLT2i should be ceased before moderate or major surgery. Other oral antihyperglycemic therapies may be continued or ceased. Complex patients and/or new therapies require specialized multidisciplinary management.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Jun 2019
ReviewClonidine in pediatric anesthesia: the new panacea or a drug still looking for an indication?
Clonidine, an α2-receptor agonist is a widely used drug in pediatrics with a large scope of indications ranging from prevention of postoperative emergence agitation, analgesia, anxiolysis, sedation, weaning to shivering. In the era of 'opioid-free' medicine with much attention be directed toward increasing problems with opioid use, clonidine due to its global availability, low cost and safety profile has become an even more interesting option. ⋯ Clonidine appears a safe and beneficial drug with moderate to high-quality evidence supporting its use in pediatric anesthesia. However, for some indications and populations such as children younger than 12 months old and those with hemodynamic instability, there is an urgent need for high-quality trials.