Current opinion in anaesthesiology
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Feb 2017
ReviewAn update on the various practical applications of the STOP-Bang questionnaire in anesthesia, surgery, and perioperative medicine.
The present review aims to provide an update on the various practical applications of the STOP-Bang questionnaire in anesthesia, surgery, and perioperative medicine. ⋯ STOP-Bang at least 3 was recommended previously to identify the suspected or undiagnosed OSA. To reduce the false positive cases and to improve its specificity, a stepwise stratification is recommended to identify the patients at high risk of moderate-to-severe OSA. Because of its practical application, STOP-Bang is a useful screening tool for patients with suspected or undiagnosed OSA.
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The incidence of cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury (CS-AKI) continues to increase and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis and identification of patients at risk are extremely important. Therefore, identifying associated risk factors, biomarkers for earlier detection, prevention and therapeutic options for CS-AKI warrant special attention. ⋯ It is extremely important to identify those who are at increased risk for CS-AKI with the foremost goal being that of prevention to help decrease morbidity and mortality. Combining functional and tubular biomarkers can assist with early identification. Once identified, early interventions including avoidance of nephrotoxins, decreasing cardiopulmonary bypass time, avoiding fluid overload and early initiation of renal replacement therapy may lead to improved clinical outcomes.
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Ventilator-induced lung injury is a major contributor to perioperative lung injury. The end-expiratory lung volume, regional lung overdistension, and tidal recruitment are known to be the main factors causing subsequent alveolar damage and inflammation. The alveolar-capillary membrane including the endothelial glycocalyx as an integral part of the vascular endothelium seems to play a major role in different kinds of lung injury. ⋯ This review focuses on the involvement of the pulmonary endothelial glycocalyx in the context of perioperative lung injury. The pathophysiological mechanisms and trigger factors of glycocalyx deterioration are discussed, and prevention strategies are taken into consideration.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Feb 2017
ReviewEpidemiology and pathophysiology of cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury.
Acute kidney injury (AKI) remains a serious complication of cardiac surgery. An understanding of the epidemiology and pathophysiology of AKI in cardiac surgery patients is crucial to early recognition and proper management. ⋯ Investigators should aim to use consistent criteria for defining AKI in future studies. Efforts should be taken to use actual measurements rather than estimated values of baseline serum creatinine whenever possible. Further study of the more recently proposed pathophysiologic factors contributing to cardiac surgery-associated AKI, such as circulating damage-associated molecular patterns, venous congestion, and genetic predisposition, are warranted.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Feb 2017
ReviewAnesthesia for nonintubated video-assisted thoracic surgery.
This review focuses primarily on nonintubated video-assisted thoracic surgery (NIVATS), and discusses advantages, indications, anesthetic techniques, and approaches to intraoperative crisis management. ⋯ Although anesthesia for NIVATS is associated with some of the same risks as general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation, NIVATS can be successfully performed in carefully selected patients.