British journal of anaesthesia
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The cardiology literature has suggested for decades that β-blockade protects patients with ischaemic heart disease. Extending this concept to perioperative patients initially produced promising results, with reductions in perioperative myocardial ischaemia and longer-term cardiovascular complications observed in several small randomized trials. However, subsequent larger trials have either shown no benefit or greater morbidity (especially stroke), despite reductions in cardiovascular events. ⋯ Speciality societies, most importantly, the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology Foundation, have promulgated guidelines for perioperative β-blockade, which have been revised, as the evidence has changed. While the European guidelines continue to emphasize perioperative β-blockade in high-risk patients, the American guidelines have reduced the strength and breadth of recommendations, focusing on haemodynamic titration. Future work will need to focus on identifying populations most likely to benefit or to be harmed, including pharmacogenetic analyses and distinctions between individual β-blockers.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Impact of preoperative maintenance or interruption of aspirin on thrombotic and bleeding events after elective non-cardiac surgery: the multicentre, randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled, STRATAGEM trial.
Patients receiving anti-platelet agents for secondary cardiovascular prevention frequently require non-cardiac surgery. A substantial proportion of these patients have their anti-platelet drug discontinued before operation; however, there is uncertainty about the impact of this practice. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of maintenance or interruption of aspirin before surgery, in terms of major thrombotic and bleeding events. ⋯ In these at-risk patients undergoing elective non-cardiac surgery, we did not find any difference in terms of occurrence of major thrombotic or bleeding events between preoperative maintenance or interruption of aspirin.
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Many anaesthesia practitioners caring for patients with a cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) lack the knowledge, experience, and requisite programming devices to independently manage these patients perioperatively. A recently updated ASA task force Practice Advisory presents expert opinion regarding the perioperative management of patients with CIEDs, and the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) recently published a consensus statement on this subject in collaboration with the ASA, American Heart Association (AHA), and Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS). The main intent of these documents is to provide recommendations that promote safe management of patients with CIEDs throughout the perioperative period and reduce the likelihood of adverse outcomes. ⋯ In emergent situations, however, or when there is no time for the requisite consultations, and in practice settings where the suggested multidisciplinary approach is simply not feasible, the anaesthesia team must still provide effective, safe perioperative management. Thus, all anaesthesiologists should become familiar with the basics of the current CIED technology and the essential tenets of perioperative CIED management. This review discusses relevant advances in CIED technology and practical perioperative management as outlined in the 2011 ASA Practice Advisory and HRS consensus statement.
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Surgery during pregnancy is complicated by the need to balance the requirements of two patients. Under usual circumstances, surgery is only conducted during pregnancy when it is absolutely necessary for the wellbeing of the mother, fetus, or both. Even so, the outcome is generally favourable for both the mother and the fetus. ⋯ It is not known whether these considerations affect the human fetus but studies are underway. Given the general considerations of avoiding fetal exposure to unnecessary medication and potential protection of the maternal airway, regional anaesthesia is usually preferred in pregnancy when it is practical for the medical and surgical condition. When surgery is indicated during pregnancy maintenance of maternal oxygenation, perfusion and homeostasis with the least extensive anaesthetic that is practical will assure the best outcome for the fetus.
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Expiratory muscle action is prominent during anaesthesia and can impair lung function. This activity is exaggerated by the use of opioids. Airway pressure during occlusion of expiration would be a valuable measure in the study of expiratory muscle activation. However, this would only be valid if the imposed occlusion did not itself alter muscle activation. This possibility can be checked by directly assessing muscle activity by electromyography; varying arterial carbon dioxide tensions and opioid action should be considered. ⋯ In these conditions, except for a change in inspiratory duration, respiratory muscle activity is unaffected by airway occlusion. Airway occlusion will permit valid measures of muscle activity in inspiration and expiration and provide simple measurements of respiratory muscle function during anaesthesia.