Current opinion in anaesthesiology
-
The primary purpose of this article is to highlight the latest airway research in multitrauma. ⋯ Risks and benefits of ultimate prehospital airway control is a controversial topic. Utilization of videolaryngoscopes in multitrauma remains open for research. Standardization of training requirements, equipment, and development of prehospital and in-hospital airway algorithms are needed to improve outcomes. Rational utilization of available airway devices, development of new devices, or both may help to promote this goal.
-
Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Apr 2010
ReviewPalliative care and involvement of anaesthesiology: current discussions.
To summarize various developments related to palliative care, especially related to ethical issues. To emphasize the involvement of anaesthesiology in palliative care. ⋯ Palliative care is a powerful approach to patient care during terminal illness, emphasizing quality of life even if it may shorten the length of life. Traditionally, palliative care has been contrasted with active euthanasia, but a group from Belgium has challenged this concept recently, advocating the use of euthanasia in circumstances in which palliative care has become 'futile'. This new approach led to strong reactions by a group from Germany, stressing that killing on demand in palliative care should under no circumstances be justified. In contrast, palliative sedation is a common method in special cases to reduce intractable symptoms. A new framework for palliative sedation produced by the European Association of Palliative Care may encourage institutions to set up their own palliative sedation guidelines. Worldwide, anaesthesiologists have a significant role in palliative care due to their unique complex expertise mainly in pain therapy and including transient sedation of patients.
-
Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Apr 2010
ReviewPerioperative considerations in patients with cirrhotic cardiomyopathy.
This review aims to identify specific criteria for cirrhotic cardiomyopathy, examine the correlation with perioperative adverse outcomes and explore options for hemodynamic monitoring. ⋯ To detect cirrhotic cardiomyopathy, physicians must conduct a systematic examination of the patient. Overt manifestations of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy often only become evident after a patient is exposed to physiological or drug-induced stress. Appropriate hemodynamic monitoring is a cornerstone in the perioperative management of cirrhotic patients.
-
The ever-increasing demand for productivity has forced anesthesiology departments to implement a safe, efficient, and structured approach to the preoperative evaluation of surgical patients. The goal of the present article is to discuss the evolution, benefits, and the future of preoperative clinics including a telephone-based system. ⋯ It is difficult to compare the efficacy of different preoperative evaluation systems with regard to properly educating the patient, minimizing complications, and maximizing surgical suite functioning. Several authors have pointed out that quality improvement of the preoperative clinic should be guided by obtaining patient feedback.
-
The aim of this review is to address and summarize some key issues and recent insights into the hemodynamic support of the trauma patient related to fluid administration. ⋯ Hemodynamic support is an early goal in the treatment of the trauma patient. The use of crystalloids is currently recommended in trauma resuscitation. The amount of fluid we give should be tailored to the individual trauma patient in which clear endpoints of resuscitation are of vital importance to maximize the chances of survival.