Current opinion in anaesthesiology
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With the growing of the aging population, increased and new methods of anesthesia and surgery allow for surgery and other interventions in older adults.Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs in older adults differ from those in younger and middle-aged adults. However, the geriatric population is frequently neglected in the context of clinical trials. The present review focuses on the consequences of multimorbidity and pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic alterations and their implications on anesthesia. ⋯ Further research of drug effects in the aging population may include physiologically based pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic complex models and randomized controlled trials with thoroughly conducted geriatric assessments.
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Alterations in cognitive functions are common in the perioperative course. Although often unnoticed by physicians, these alterations might have distinct long-term consequences for the patient with regard to everyday functioning, self-dependency, and quality of life. In recent years, however, perioperative cognition has gained increased interest, both by clinicians and scientists, and knowledge of the preventive measures of postoperative cognitive decline has become mandatory for anesthetists and surgeons. ⋯ Postoperative neurocognitive disorders are frequent complications, especially in elderly patients, with postoperative delirium being its most pronounced and acute postoperative form, predisposing the patient for long-term cognitive impairment. The incidence of postoperative cognitive decline can be reduced by implementing preventive measures during perioperative patient care as recommended by national and international guidelines.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Feb 2020
ReviewAnesthetic considerations for tracheobronchial resection in oncologic surgery.
Anesthesia for the resection and reconstruction of the tracheobronchial tree for neoplastic disease is challenging, both from surgical as well as anesthetic points of view. There are no published recommendations or guidelines addressing anesthetic and airway management dilemmas that arise during these surgical interventions. This review presents key aspects of preoperative imaging evaluation, surgical planning, as well as anesthesia and airway management during these complex cases. ⋯ With advances in technology, the use of classical ventilation methods in conjunction with newer alternatives, such as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, creates the premise for a more individualized, safer and controlled approach to tracheobronchial resections for oncologic purposes.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Feb 2020
ReviewA narrative review of electroencephalogram-based monitoring during cardiovascular surgery.
The current narrative review focuses on depth of hypnosis monitoring with electroencephalography (EEG) during cardiovascular surgery. There have been important findings in recent years regarding the challenges and limitations of EEG-based monitoring during general anesthesia. The purpose of this review is to summarize key EEG-related concepts, as well as to highlight some of the advantages and disadvantages of processed and unprocessed EEG monitoring, especially for older patients with comorbidities undergoing cardiovascular surgery. ⋯ Ability to interpret the EEG during surgery might help anesthesia clinicians to individualize anesthetic administration to prevent adverse events, and optimize postoperative recovery.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Feb 2020
ReviewFascial plane blocks in thoracic surgery: a new era or plain painful?
The demand for well-tolerated, effective, and opioid reducing pain management has become imperative in thoracic surgery. With the recent movement away from neuraxial analgesia for thoracic surgical patients, great interest in alternative analgesic techniques of the chest wall has developed. Multiple fascial plane blocks have been developed for pain management of the lateral chest wall and we present an up-to-date review of these popular new interventions. ⋯ Fascial plane blocks hold the potential for well-tolerated and effective analgesia for thoracic surgical patients as part of a multimodal regimen of pain relief. However, many questions remain regarding block characteristics. As the literature matures, more formal recommendations will be made but quality trials are needed to provide this guidance.