British journal of anaesthesia
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Individuals genetically susceptible to malignant hyperthermia (MH) exhibit hypermetabolic reactions when exposed to volatile anaesthetics. Mitochondrial dysfunction has previously been associated with the MH-susceptible (MHS) phenotype in animal models, but evidence of this in human MH is limited. ⋯ We present evidence of mitochondrial dysfunction in human MHS skeletal muscle both at baseline and after halothane exposure.
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Postoperative hypotension and hypertension are frequent events associated with increased risk of adverse outcomes. However, proper assessment and management is often poorly understood. As a part of the PeriOperative Quality Improvement (POQI) 3 workgroup meeting, we developed a consensus document addressing this topic. The target population includes adult, non-cardiac surgical patients in the postoperative phase outside of the ICU. ⋯ Despite evidence of associations with postoperative hypotension or hypertension with worse postoperative outcome, further research is needed to define the optimal levels at which intervention is beneficial, to identify the best methods and timing of postoperative blood pressure measurement, and to refine the management of long-term antihypertensive treatment in the postoperative phase.
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Editorial Comparative Study
Critical airway management in the intensive care unit: homogeneity in practice?
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Intraoperative mortality is now rare, but death within 30 days of surgery remains surprisingly common. Perioperative myocardial infarction is associated with a remarkably high mortality. There are strong associations between hypotension and myocardial injury, myocardial infarction, renal injury, and death. Perioperative arterial blood pressure management was thus the basis of a Perioperative Quality Initiative consensus-building conference held in London in July 2017. ⋯ There is increasing evidence that even brief durations of systolic arterial pressure <100 mm Hg and mean arterial pressure <60-70 mm Hg are harmful during non-cardiac surgery.
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A multidisciplinary international working subgroup of the third Perioperative Quality Initiative consensus meeting appraised the evidence on the influence of preoperative arterial blood pressure and community cardiovascular medications on perioperative risk. ⋯ Future research should define which preoperative arterial pressure values best correlate with adverse outcomes, and whether modifying arterial pressure in the preoperative setting will change the perioperative morbidity or mortality. Additional research should define optimum strategies for continuation or discontinuation of preoperative cardiovascular medications.