Articles: postoperative.
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To review left ventricular assist device physiology, initial postoperative management, common complications, trouble shooting and management of hypotension, and other common ICU problems. ⋯ Intensivists are increasingly likely to encounter patients requiring mechanical circulatory support with left ventricular assist devices at various points in the trajectory of their disease, from the immediate postimplant period to subsequent admissions for complications, and at end of life. A basic understanding of left ventricular assist device physiology is essential to the safe and effective care of these patients.
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Delirium is known to be a predictor of adverse outcomes. In a prospective study Abelha and colleagues showed that postoperative delirium was an independent risk factor for deterioration in functional capacity following discharge. ⋯ Early mobilisation of ICU patients has been demonstrated to decrease delirium and improve functional outcomes. Resources should be directed to appropriate, progressive mobilisation of all critically ill patients as a priority.
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The postoperative PCIA effects of dezocine in elderly patients were determined using a large multicenter randomized double-blind prospective study. ⋯ Dezocine combining with sufentanil is a complement drug for sufentanil in PCIA. Considering the side effects and overall satisfaction index, 0.1 mg/kg seems to be an ideal dosage for Dezocine using in the postoperative PCIA in elderly patients.
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Surgical treatment of the lumbar spine is a standard procedure in orthopedic and neurosurgery. After endoscopic discectomy an otherwise healthy patient developed massive dyspnea in combination with severe abdominal pain. ⋯ After insertion of a drainage channel fluid could be removed and the patient was transferred to a peripheral ward after a 24 h monitoring period. This review reports on the complications and anesthetic characteristics of percutaneous spinal interventions and presents differential diagnoses of postoperative dyspnea.
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During a posterior segmental spinal fusion procedure, a 71-year-old woman developed cardiac and pulmonary embolism characterized by nonsustained ventricular tachycardia during cement injection, rapid and severe hypoxemia, and hemodynamic instability. Management included exploratory cardiotomy under cardiopulmonary bypass and removal of the emboli from the pulmonary vessels. Postoperative recovery was successful, and the patient was discharged without sequelae. We discuss the pathophysiology of bone cement implantation syndrome during spinal fusion, possible causative factors, and treatment alternatives.