Journal of neurosurgical anesthesiology
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J Neurosurg Anesthesiol · Jan 2024
ReviewThe Role of Remimazolam in Neurosurgery and in Patients With Neurological Diseases: A Narrative Review.
Remimazolam is a novel ultrashort-acting benzodiazepine that produces sedation by acting as a positive allosteric modulator of the gamma-amino butyric acid-A receptor. Its high water solubility and metabolism via tissue esterases allow for a rapid onset of sedation/anesthesia and prompt arousal despite prolonged use. In addition, the effects of remimazolam can be reversed with flumazenil. ⋯ Considerations for remimazolam use in patients with neurological diseases are also highlighted. In addition, the impact of remimazolam on postoperative excitation, risk for postoperative delirium, and delayed neurocognitive recovery are discussed. Although there seems to be a clinical promise for remimazolam based on limited case studies and our own institutional experience of its use, further clinical investigation is warranted to understand the potential impact of remimazolam on surgical and neurological outcomes.
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J Neurosurg Anesthesiol · Jan 2024
The Effect of Anesthetic Agent and Mean Arterial Pressure on Functional Outcome After General Anesthesia for Endovascular Thrombectomy.
The optimal general anesthetic (GA) technique for stroke patients undergoing endovascular thrombectomy (ET) is unclear. We compared favorable outcomes and mortality in patients receiving propofol or volatile GA during ET and assessed associations between mean arterial pressure (MAP) and outcome. ⋯ Favorable outcome rates were similar in stroke patients receiving propofol or volatile GA during ET. Propofol was associated with lower mortality, an effect magnified in patients that did not receive intravenous thrombolysis. MAP time/exposure thresholds were associated with outcome but independent of the anesthetic agent. Our data suggest that a difference in outcome related to an anesthetic agent may exist; this hypothesis needs to be tested in a prospective study.
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J Neurosurg Anesthesiol · Jan 2024
Observational StudyEffect of Different Surgical Positions on the Changes in Cerebral Venous Drainage in Patients Undergoing Neurosurgery: A Prospective Observational Study.
Some patient positions employed to facilitate neurosurgery can compromise cerebral venous drainage and lead to increased intracranial pressure, intraoperative bleeding, and brain bulge. This study evaluated the impact of different surgical positions on internal jugular vein (IJV) flow as a measure of cerebral venous drainage and on optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) as an indirect assessment of intracranial pressure. ⋯ Mean IJV flow decreased from baseline following the final neurosurgical positioning. Ultrasound-guided assessment of IJV flow could be a useful tool to quantify position-related changes in IJV drainage.
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J Neurosurg Anesthesiol · Jan 2024
Early Extubation After Elective Infratentorial Craniotomy: Results of the International PRICE Survey.
Early extubation, defined as removal of the endotracheal tube at the end of surgery before transfer to a designated postoperative care area, is associated with better outcomes after elective infratentorial craniotomy. The Predicting Infratentorial Craniotomy Extubation (PRICE) project was an international survey designed to estimate the rate of early extubation after elective infratentorial craniotomy, as reported by neuroanesthesiologists, neurosurgeons, and neurocritical care specialists. ⋯ The reported rate of early extubation after elective infratentorial craniotomy varies widely between institutions, with respondents from high-volume institutions reporting greater rates of early extubation than those from lower-volume centers. The course of surgery, evidence of bulbar dysfunction, and altered consciousness, appear to affect the decision to extubate early more than other predictors.