The Journal of the Louisiana State Medical Society : official organ of the Louisiana State Medical Society
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The Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Department of Anesthesiology performed an analysis of anesthesia practice and needs within the State of Louisiana. The State of Louisiana currently has approximately 300 practicing anesthesiologists (physicians), 700 certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), and does not currently utilize anesthesiologist assistants (AAs). ⋯ The overwhelming majority of surgical and obstetric procedures is performed using the anesthesia care team approach both nationally and in the State of Louisiana. Within the anesthesia care team model, the practice of certified registered nurse anesthetists and anesthesiologist assistants are interchangeable, and both would meet the need for mid-level anesthesia providers in the State of Louisiana.
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As the pathophysiology of asthma becomes better understood, a specific course of therapy can be directed to the underlying cause of asthma and not just to the signs and symptoms of asthma. This article presents medications available for physicians to use in their armamentarium to prevent the asthmatic patient from experiencing the inconvenience and frustration of repeated asthma attacks.
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The availability of relatively low-cost, portable ultrasound units has increased interest among non-radiologists in performing image-guided central venous cannulation, especially in high-risk patients. The essential elements of this relatively simple method of increasing the success and safety of internal jugular cannulation are presented.