Current opinion in anaesthesiology
-
With the ageing population, there is an increasing number of patients with a neurocognitive disorder (NCD) who undergo surgical procedures. The aim of this review is to highlight the epidemiology of preoperative NCD. ⋯ Cognitive dysfunction is common prior to surgery. Awareness of dysfunction, especially when taking care of older adults, is critical given the high risk of complications in this population.
-
Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Jun 2019
ReviewTranexamic acid and perioperative bleeding in children: what do we still need to know?
Perioperative bleeding and blood product transfusion are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Prevention and optimal management of bleeding decreases risk and lowers costs. Tranexamic acid (TXA) is an antifibrinolytic agent that reduces bleeding and transfusion in a broad number of adult and pediatric surgeries, as well as in trauma and obstetrics. This review highlights the current pediatric indications and contraindications of TXA. The efficacy and safety profile, given current and evolving research, will be covered. ⋯ Based on TXA pharmacokinetics, the authors recommend a dosing regimen of between 10 to 30 mg/kg loading dose followed by 5 to 10 mg/kg/h maintenance infusion rate for pediatric trauma and surgery. Maximal efficacy and minimal side-effects with this dosage regime will have to be determined in larger prospective trials including high-risk groups. Furthermore, future research should focus on determining the ideal TXA plasma therapeutic concentration for maximum efficacy and minimal side-effects.
-
The purpose of this review is to describe the anesthesiologist's perioperative challenges when caring for the patient with substance use disorder and, in particular, opioid use disorder. ⋯ Patients with substance use disorders and, in particular, those addicted to opioids, present a challenge to the anesthesiologist. Whether the diagnosis of substance use disorder is known or unknown and whether on maintenance therapy, in withdrawal, or remission, patients with this condition represent a special surgical population whose perioperative care can influence their postoperative and disease course for many years.
-
Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Jun 2019
ReviewThe malnourished surgery patient: a silent epidemic in perioperative outcomes?
As many as two of every three major surgery patients are malnourished preoperatively - a diagnosis rarely made and treated even less frequently. Unfortunately, perioperative malnutrition is perhaps the least often identified surgical risk factor and is among the most treatable to improve outcomes. ⋯ The recent publication of new surgical nutrition guidelines, the PONS score, and use of LBM assessments will allow better identification and earlier intervention on perioperative malnutrition. It is essential that in the future no patient undergoes elective surgery without nutrition screening and nutrition intervention when malnutrition risk is identified.
-
Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Jun 2019
ReviewThe patient with hypertension and new guidelines for therapy.
Hypertension is a leading disease in preoperative clinics; nearly 60% of patients over 60 years have it. Many guidelines have been published for the diagnosis and treatment of hypertension. Last year, the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association and European Society of Cardiology and European Society of Hypertension made new recommendations for diagnosis and management, with special emphasis on targets, nonpharmacological treatment, and management of the elderly patient, and pharmacological therapy. We will review relevant concordances and differences that are important for the anesthesiologist and perioperative management. ⋯ New guidelines could increase the burden of patients with pharmacological treatment that will need surgery and require case by case considerations. The scarcity of information demands trials about blood pressure management and consensus about antihypertensive medications in perioperative period.