Current opinion in anaesthesiology
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Feb 2014
ReviewUpdate on minimally invasive hemodynamic monitoring in thoracic anesthesia.
Advanced hemodynamic monitoring is indispensable for adequate management of patients undergoing major surgery. This article will summarize minimally invasive hemodynamic monitoring technologies and their potential use in thoracic anesthesia. ⋯ Many different minimally invasive hemodynamic monitoring devices have been developed and clinically introduced in the last years. They offer the advantage of being less invasive and easier to use. However, these techniques have several limitations and data are scarce in patients undergoing thoracic anesthesia, preventing their widespread use so far.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Feb 2014
ReviewCerebral protection: inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and postoperative cognitive dysfunction.
Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a well recognized perioperative syndrome, with approximately 15% of patients over the age of 60 years displaying objectively measured decrease in cognitive function as a consequence of anesthesia and surgery. The exact cause, however, remains unknown. This review aims to update anesthesiologists on the recent advancements in the understanding of the pathophysiology of POCD. ⋯ Recent research points to a central role of a neuro-inflammatory cascade in POCD, with endothelial dysfunction potentially aggravating the insult. Investigating the genomic and molecular mechanisms that underlie the intervariation in the inflammatory response to surgery, improving the identification of appropriate endothelial and inflammatory biomarkers, and developing endothelial modulatory and anti-inflammatory (prevention and resolution) strategies are key areas of future translational research. This is important as the elderly, who show increased susceptibility to this and other perioperative illness syndromes, represent an ever-increasing proportion of patients presenting for surgery.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Feb 2014
ReviewNovel approaches in management of perioperative coagulopathy.
The recent advances in hemostatic monitoring, and discussion of the clinical implications of hemostatic therapies based on different blood components and factor concentrates. ⋯ Our understanding of perioperative coagulopathy, diagnostic tools, and therapeutic approaches has evolved in recent years. Additional multidisciplinary efforts are required to understand the optimal combinations, cost-effectiveness, and safety profiles of allogeneic components, and available factor concentrates.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Feb 2014
ReviewCerebral near-infrared spectroscopy in perioperative management of left ventricular assist device and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patients.
Spinal cord ischemia after thoracoabdominal aortic interventions is a devastating complication because it significantly worsens the perioperative morbidity and mortality. Long-term outcome is also affected because of medical complications which are directly related to the neural deficits. Paraplegia has significant medical, social, and financial aspects. Limited mobility, the need for assistance in activities of daily living, makes paraplegia an important target for prevention. An understanding of spinal cord blood supply, risk factors for spinal ischemia, and strategies for spinal cord rescue in this setting can help minimize the negative outcome effects of this important complication. ⋯ The progression of spinal cord ischemia after thoracoabdominal aortic interventions can frequently be arrested before irreversible infarction results. This spinal cord rescue depends on the early detection and immediate multimodal intervention to maximize spinal cord oxygen supply. The devastating outcomes associated with spinal infarction in this setting offset the risks and knowledge gaps currently associated with contemporary interventions.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Feb 2014
ReviewPain and inflammatory response following off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.
Inflammation and pain are two common clinical issues following cardiac surgery, which are important to patient outcomes. This article reviews the literature regarding inflammation and pain following cardiac surgery with special emphasis on off-pump cardiac surgery. ⋯ Off-pump cardiac surgeries although known to decrease the inflammatory burden do not appear to impact the overall patient outcomes. Recent evidence indicates the prothrombotic tendency following off-pump procedures, which could be related to the time course of inflammation following off-pump cardiac surgery. There might be some benefit of off-pump procedures regarding neurological and renal function that needs further studies. Pain management following off-pump procedures is similar to that of patients undergoing on-pump cardiac surgery. Better caregiver and patient education is crucial for improving pain control following cardiac surgery. Analgesic regimens need to consider adjuvants and regional analgesic techniques and patient-controlled modalities while providing care.