Current opinion in anaesthesiology
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Every year, thousands of heart and lung transplants are performed worldwide. As experience and clinical acumen advance, both fields are continually evolving. This review elucidates and describes many of the recent changes in practice and future directions of heart and lung transplantation. Preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative developments are presented with supporting evidence in these continually evolving fields. ⋯ This review investigates and summarizes the recent changes and advancements in heart and lung transplantation. Mechanical circulatory support and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation are increasingly used in the perioperative setting, and continuing research will evaluate their safety profiles. Optimizing and tailoring immunosuppression regimens for transplant recipients continue to be the subject of ongoing investigation.
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To review the belief's of Jehovah's Witnesses regarding the use of blood and blood products, and how to ensure that those patients professing to be Jehovah's Witnesses are treated ethically. ⋯ When treating a patient that may be one of Jehovah's Witnesses, the principle of respect for autonomy is not the only principle that must be heeded. Adherence to the principles of beneficence, nonmaleficence and sometimes justice is paramount as well.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Feb 2014
ReviewCritical care strategies to improve neurocognitive outcome in thoracic surgery.
This review focuses on neurocognitive outcome with respect to potential pathophysiological inflammatory mechanisms of thoracic surgery and one-lung ventilation, risk factors of postoperative delirium and postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) as well as anti-inflammatory strategies. ⋯ There is evidence that important key strategies improve neurocognitive outcome after thoracic surgery. This includes adequate risk stratification, the anesthetic management and postoperative critical care strategies.