Current opinion in anaesthesiology
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Feb 2023
ReviewCardiac surgery, ICU sedation, and delirium: is dexmedetomidine the silver bullet.
Delirium is a marker of acute brain insufficiency and a harbinger of poor outcomes and increased healthcare costs. Despite success preventing delirium by nonpharmacologic measures, the incidence in the postcardiac surgical ICU population remains high. Dexmedetomidine, a selective alpha-2 agonist, is a plausible preventive agent with sedative, anxiolytic, analgesic, sympatholytic and anti-inflammatory properties, and is the subject of very active study in cardiac surgery populations. ⋯ Although using dexmedetomidine to prevent delirium in unselected cardiac surgical patients is not supported by current evidence, there remains hope that it may offer benefits in highly selected populations, and further trials are ongoing.
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This review aims to summarize the current literature on pulmonary prehabilitation programs, their effects on postoperative pulmonary complications, and the financial implications of implementing these programs. Additionally, this review has discussed the current trends in pulmonary prehabilitation programs, techniques for improving rates of perioperative smoking cessation, and the optimal timing of these interventions. ⋯ The implications of clinical practice and research findings regarding PPCs are an increased burden of postoperative complications and financial cost to both patients and hospital systems. There is convincing evidence that pulmonary prehabilitation based on endurance training should be started 8-12 weeks prior to major surgery; however, similar rates of improved postoperative outcomes are observed with high-intensity interval training (HIIT) for 1-2 weeks. This shorter interval of prehabilitation may be more appropriate for patients awaiting thoracic surgery, especially for cancer resection. Additionally, costs associated with creating and maintaining a prehabilitation program are mitigated by shortened lengths of stay and reduced PPCs. Please see Video Abstract, http://links.lww.com/COAN/A90.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Feb 2023
ReviewPresurgical radiation and chemotherapy in preparation for thoracic tumor resection.
This article aims at describing the role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, radiation therapy as well the novel immunotherapy and targeted therapy in thoracic oncology with focus on anesthetic considerations of such treatments for the surgical patient. ⋯ Rather than a comprehensive review, the purpose of this work is to provide the reader with an overview of the most common neoadjuvant regimens used in current practice, with the corresponding most prevalent adverse effects as it pertains for patients with esophageal and lung cancer, malignant pleural mesothelioma and mediastinal tumors. Considerations relevant to the anesthesiologist, including specific toxicities related to each treatment type, and the impact of each treatment type on perioperative outcomes and complications will be discussed.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Feb 2023
ReviewCardiovascular disease, surgery and outcomes in women: are they any different.
Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death for women worldwide and continues to be a major determinant of significant morbidity. Several studies have investigated the marked differences in diagnosis, treatment and etiology in cardiovascular disease and how it relates to gender. In this review, several key studies highlight the stark differences and bring light to the disparity and potential opportunities for further research. ⋯ By highlighting the disparities in cardiovascular ischemic care, the hope is to bring attention and future research to a population group that is currently undertreated for their ischemic disease and suffering high mortality rates.