Der Anaesthesist
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Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent complication in the perioperative period and is associated with a high morbidity and mortality. AKI is an independent risk factor for adverse outcome. The Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcome (KDIGO) guidelines define AKI based on increases in serum creatinine and/or urinary output. Since there is no causal therapy available, early detection and timely implementation of preventive measures are of particular importance. ⋯ For timely diagnosis and prevention of AKI the recommendations for action of the KDIGO guidelines should be implemented. High-risk patients should be detected early in the perioperative period in order to be able to initiate preemptive strategies in a timely manner.
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Minimum volume thresholds for specific surgical procedures in German hospitals were established in 2004 but remain controversial. For the first time, this study investigated the relationship between hospital performance volume and surgical procedure duration in a multicenter approach. The question here was whether a concentration on frequently performed procedures leads to a reduction in surgical process times. ⋯ The case volume only appeared to have a direct but limited influence on incision to suture times in laparoscopic and arthroscopic procedures. Overall, the hospital performance volume appeared to be of subordinate importance in terms of OR-economics.
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Arterial hypotension is a frequent complication following spinal anesthesia for cesarean sections. A fast treatment is necessary to maintain the well-being of the mother and to avoid deficiencies in the intrauterine supply to the child. ⋯ The differences of the individual vasoactive substances seemed to be much smaller than one would expect based on the results of randomized clinical trials. The incidence and extent of bradycardia and neonatal acidosis were much lower than previously reported. The determined differences seemed to have no major clinical relevance. Although the A group required less bolus administrations and seemed to be the most potent substance, the results imply that the assessment of the effects of vasoactive substances should not be carried out without consideration of the accompanying measures.