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Topic Review
Ultrasound-Guided Saphenous Nerve Block in Rabbits
Ultrasound-guided (US-guided) loco-regional anesthesia techniques allow direct visualization and blockade of sensory nerves. The saphenous nerve (SN), a terminal branch of the femoral nerve (FN), is strictly a sensory nerve for which electrical locator devices are ineffective for localization as no effector muscle contractions can be evoked. US-guided SN block in species other than rabbits produces hind-limb analgesia without affecting FN motor function.
  • 726
  • 17 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Airway Ultrasound for Anesthesia and Intensive Care Patients
Ultrasound is an everyday diagnostic tool. In anesthesia and intensive care, it has a role as an adjuvant for many procedures, including the evaluation of the airway. Ultrasound airway evaluation can help predict a difficult airway, visualize the proper positioning of an intubation cannula, or evaluate the airway post-intubation.
  • 703
  • 21 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Anesthesiology
Anesthesia literally means without sensation. There are a number of different types of anesthesia. They allow for safe and comfortable conscious or unconscious experiences during a surgical procedure.
  • 697
  • 10 May 2021
Topic Review
COVID-19 Pandemic Management of LMICs
The World Bank has historically classified countries according to their per capita gross national income (GNI) into three groups: high-income countries (or HICs), middle-income countries (or MICs), and low-income countries (or LICs). In 2020, LICs were 32, suffering high rates of illnesses and infections due to the lack of clean water, low sanitation levels, malnutrition, and the lack of access to quality medical care. Approximately 5 billion people lived in MICs, representing over 70% of the world population. There are a total of 105 MICs. Only 77 countries were classified by the World Bank as HICs. The management of the COVID-19 pandemic represents a challenging process, especially for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) due to the serious economic and health resource problems it generates. 
  • 675
  • 10 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Kynurenine's Role in Comorbid Chronic Pain and Depression
Chronic pain and depression affect millions of people worldwide, and their comorbidity tends to exacerbate the severity of each individual condition. Intersecting brain regions and molecular pathways could probably explain the unique yet complex bidirectional relationship between these two disorders. Recent studies have found that inflammatory reactions, frequently identified in both chronic pain and depression, stimulate certain enzymes in the kynurenine pathway, while concurrently suppressing others. Kynurenine, a major tryptophan derivative, and its metabolites have been implicated in several inflammation-associated pain syndromes and depressive mood disorders. Due to inflammation, 95% of tryptophan is metabolized via the kynurenine pathway, which drives the reaction towards the production of metabolites that have distinct roles in the pathophysiology of these disorders. Diminished levels of the neuroprotective metabolite, kynurenic acid (KYNA), and elevated levels of the neurotoxic metabolite, quinolinic acid (QUIN), have been frequently identified in human patients formally diagnosed with these disorders, as well as animal models commonly used in medical research. Researchers not only explored the epidemiology of comorbid chronic pain and depression, but also highlights the involvement of kynurenine and its metabolites, specifically KYNA and QUIN, in these pervasive conditions.
  • 664
  • 31 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Electroencephalogram Features and Postoperative Neurocognitive Disorder
Postoperative neurocognitive disorder (PND) is a common postoperative complication, particularly in older patients. Electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring, a non-invasive technique with a high spatial–temporal resolution, can accurately characterize the dynamic changes in brain function during the perioperative period. Current clinical studies have confirmed that the power density of alpha oscillation during general anesthesia decreased with age, which was considered to be associated with increased susceptibility to PND in the elderly.
  • 641
  • 24 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Ultrasound-Guided Interfascial Plane Blocks
Ultrasound-guided interfascial plane blocks performed on the anterior and lateral thoracic wall have become an important adjuvant method to general anesthesia and an independent method of local anesthesia and pain management.
  • 633
  • 08 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Redox Disturbance and Inflammation during General Anesthesia
Worldwide, the prevalence of surgery under general anesthesia has significantly increased, both because of modern anesthetic and pain-control techniques and because of better diagnosis and the increased complexity of surgical techniques. Apart from developing new concepts in the surgical field, researchers and clinicians are now working on minimizing the impact of surgical trauma and offering minimal invasive procedures due to the recent discoveries in the field of cellular and molecular mechanisms that have revealed a systemic inflammatory and pro-oxidative impact not only in the perioperative period but also in the long term, contributing to more difficult recovery, increased morbidity and mortality, and a negative financial impact. Detailed molecular and cellular analysis has shown an overproduction of inflammatory and pro-oxidative species, responsible for augmenting the systemic inflammatory status and making postoperative recovery more difficult. Moreover, there are a series of changes in certain epigenetic structures, the most important being the microRNAs.
  • 605
  • 21 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Plasma Renin Concentration in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients
Plasma renin concentration as a marker of organ perfusion in several intensive care settings have shown a significant correlation between its increase and a lack of perfusion in critical tissues, especially in septic patients.
  • 604
  • 04 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Analgosedation and Periprocedural Care for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
The number and complexity of endoscopic gastrointestinal diagnostic and therapeutic procedures is globally increasing. Procedural analgosedation during gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures has become the gold standard of gastrointestinal endoscopies. Patient satisfaction and safety are important for the quality of the technique. The ideal analgosedation technique should enable the satisfaction of the patient, their maximum safety and, at the same time, cost-effectiveness. Although propofol is the gold standard and the most used general anesthetic for endoscopies, its use is not without risks such as pain at the injection site, respiratory depression, and hypotension. New studies are looking for alternatives to propofol, and drugs like remimazolam and ciprofol are in the focus of researchers’ interest. New monitoring techniques are also associated with them. The optimal technique of analgosedation should provide good analgesia and sedation, fast recovery, comfort for the endoscopist, patients’ safety, and will have financial benefits. The future will show whether these new drugs have succeeded in these goals.
  • 595
  • 27 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Neuroprotective Strategies for Spinal Cord during TEVAR
Thoraco-abdominal aortic repair is a high-risk surgery for both mortality and morbidity, thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is a minimally invasive option for the management of the pathology of the descending thoracic aorta compared to open surgical repair (OPEN). A major complication is paraplegia-paralysis due to spinal cord injury. Modern thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysm repair techniques involve multiple strategies to reduce the risk of spinal cord ischemia during and after surgery. These include both surgical and anaesthesiologic approaches to optimize spinal cord perfusion by staging the procedure, guaranteeing perfusion of the distal aorta through various techniques (left atrium–left femoral artery by-pass) by pharmacological and monitoring interventions or by maximizing oxygen delivery and inducing spinal cord hypothermia.
  • 588
  • 14 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Apps in Anesthesia
Modern anesthesia continues to be impacted in new and unforeseen ways by digital technology. Combining portability and versatility, mobile applications or “apps” provide a multitude of ways to enhance anesthetic and peri-operative care.
  • 573
  • 30 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Epidural Oxycodone for Acute Pain
Oxycodone is a feasible opioid for epidural analgesia. Pruritus and PONV may be reduced with epidural oxycodone compared to epidural morphine.  Epidural analgesia is commonly used in labour analgesia and in postoperative pain after major surgery. It is highly effective in severe acute pain, has minimal effects on fetus and newborn, may reduce postoperative complications, and enhance patient satisfaction. In epidural analgesia, low concentrations of local anaesthetics are combined with opioids. Two opioids, morphine and sufentanil, have been approved for epidural use, but there is an interest in evaluating other opioids as well. Oxycodone is one of the most commonly used opioids in acute pain management.
  • 559
  • 14 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Sugammadex for Rocuronium-Induced Neuromuscular Blockade
Sugammadex (Bridion®, Merk Sharp and Dohme Corp., Kenilworth, NJ, USA) is a modified cyclodextrin designed to selectively encapsulate aminosteroidal neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) such as rocuronium and vecuronium, which leads to the rapid reversal of neuromuscular block (NMB).
  • 551
  • 07 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Residual Neuromuscular Block
Residual neuromuscular block (RNMB) remains a significant safety concern for patients throughout the perioperative period and is still widely under-recognized by perioperative healthcare professionals. Current literature suggests an association between RNMB and an increased risk of postoperative pulmonary complications, a prolonged length of stay in the post anesthesia care unit (PACU), and decreased patient satisfaction. The 2023 American Society of Anesthesiologists Practice Guidelines for Monitoring and Antagonism of Neuromuscular Blockade provide guidance for the use of quantitative neuromuscular monitoring coupled with neuromuscular reversal to recognize and reduce the incidence of RNMB. Using sugammadex for the reversal of neuromuscular block as well as quantitative neuromuscular monitoring to quantify the degree of neuromuscular block may significantly reduce the risk of RNMB among patients undergoing general anesthesia. Studies are forthcoming to investigate how using neuromuscular blocking agent reversal with quantitative monitoring of the neuromuscular block may further improve perioperative patient safety.
  • 540
  • 26 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Medicinal Cannabis as Analgesic in Cancer Patients
The analgesic potential of Cannabis sativa L.—based medicinal cannabis products for treatment of cancer associated chronic pains has gained increased interest. To ensure a controlled distribution of these products and investigate their therapeutic potential, several countries have established so-called pilot trials.
  • 525
  • 13 Jan 2023
Topic Review
ECMO Management in Severely Hypothermic Cardiac Arrest Patients
Accidental hypothermia, defined as an unintentional drop of the body core temperature below 35 °C, is one of the causes of cardiocirculatory instability and reversible cardiac arrest. Currently, extracorporeal life support (ECLS) rewarming is recommended as a first-line treatment for hypothermic cardiac arrest patients. The aim of the ECLS rewarming is not only rapid normalization of core temperature but also maintenance of adequate organ perfusion. Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a preferred technique due to its lower anticoagulation requirements and potential to prolong circulatory support. Although highly efficient, ECMO is acknowledged as an invasive treatment option, requiring experienced medical personnel and is associated with the risk of serious complications. 
  • 524
  • 08 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Pharmacological Management in Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is a common complication of longstanding diabetes mellitus. These neuropathies can present in various forms, and with the increasing prevalence of diabetes mellitus, a subsequent increase in peripheral neuropathy cases has been noted. Peripheral neuropathy has a significant societal and economic burden, with patients requiring concomitant medication and often experiencing a decline in their quality of life. There is currently a wide variety of pharmacological interventions, including serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, gapentanoids, sodium channel blockers, and tricyclic antidepressants. 
  • 510
  • 08 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Necessity of Cardiothoracic Surgical Critical Care Medicine Training
Cardiothoracic surgical critical care medicine is practiced by a diverse group of physicians including surgeons, anesthesiologists, pulmonologists, and cardiologists. With a wide array of specialties involved, the training of cardiothoracic surgical intensivists lacks standardization, creating significant variation in practice. Additionally, it results in siloed physicians who are less likely to collaborate and advocate for the cardiothoracic surgical critical care subspeciality. Moreover, the current model creates credentialing dilemmas, as experienced by some cardiothoracic surgeons. 
  • 502
  • 01 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Intraoperative Hypotension—A Proactive Perioperative Hemodynamic Management
Intraoperative hypotension (IH) is a frequent phenomenon affecting a substantial number of patients undergoing general anesthesia. The occurrence of IH is related to significant perioperative complications, including kidney failure, myocardial injury, and even increased mortality. Despite advanced hemodynamic monitoring and protocols utilizing goal directed therapy, our management is still reactive; we intervene when the episode of hypotension has already occurred. This research evaluated the Hypotension Prediction Index (HPI), which is designed to predict and reduce the incidence of IH. The HPI algorithm is based on a machine learning algorithm that analyzes the arterial pressure waveform as an input and the occurrence of hypotension with MAP <65 mmHg for at least 1 min as an output. There are several studies, both retrospective and prospective, showing a significant reduction in IH episodes with the use of the HPI algorithm. However, the level of evidence on the use of HPI remains very low, and further studies are needed to show the benefits of this algorithm on perioperative outcomes.
  • 498
  • 16 Mar 2023
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