A pregnant woman battled COVID-19 for 22 days before receiving life-saving ECMO treatment. After a successful delivery of a healthy baby boy via emergency C-section, the mother made a full recovery with extensive physiotherapy.
A review at the Euroanaesthesia congress recommends that doctors and nurses take 20-minute power naps during night shifts to improve staff and patient safety. This is due to the risks of fatigue-induced accidents, decreased cognitive function, and impaired teamwork, which can lead to poor patient care.
A German study has found a link between long-term exposure to air pollution and the severity of COVID-19 disease. The research, presented at the Euroanaesthesia Congress in Milan, Italy, found that counties with higher levels of nitrogen dioxide had more ICU beds occupied and mechanical ventilation needed for COVID-19 patients.
The UK Maternal Mortality Reports show that heart disease remains the leading cause of death among women during pregnancy, followed by epilepsy and stroke. Anaesthetists are working to improve outcomes through better risk assessment, anti-clotting medication, and multidisciplinary training.
Researchers found that mouth-to-mouth ventilation while wearing a face mask is effective in reducing the risk of COVID-19 transmission. The study used a breathable face mask and found that over 90% of breaths into the mouth were judged effective.
A 58-year-old woman from Armenia suffered from severe finger pain for over 40 years when knitting, which was later revealed to be caused by a rare benign glomus tumor under her fingernail. The tumor was successfully removed in a 30-minute operation, restoring the patient's quality of life and allowing her to return to her hobby.
Inhaled anaesthetic gases are potent greenhouse gases with effects up to thousands of times more potent than carbon dioxide. The European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care recommends reducing their use through alternatives like TIVA and regional anaesthesia.
New research highlights that women undergoing operations are not being routinely informed about the potential risks of contraceptive failure when administered sugammadex. This anaesthetic drug is known to interact with hormone progesterone and reduce the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives, including the Pill and mini-pill.
A recent study published at the Euroanaesthesia Congress found that patients with higher body mass index (BMI) and weight prior to bariatric surgery are more likely to experience complications and have worse outcomes. The research analyzed data from over 4,000 adults who underwent weight loss surgery between 2006 and 2020, revealing a ...
Researchers found that Holocaust survivors were 40% less likely to develop post-operative delirium than age-matched non-survivors. They also had a higher risk of falls in hospital but no overall difference in other adverse outcomes.
A new preliminary study from the US suggests that aromatherapy can reduce post-surgical opioid use by half in patients with anxiety before their operation. The study found that levels of anxiety, depression, and catastrophising were reduced in the aromatherapy group, resulting in lower opioid consumption.
Middle-aged men are at a higher risk of death and ICU admission after surgery compared to women in the same age group. The study analyzed data from over 100,000 non-cardiac patients and found that mortality rates are 50% higher in men aged 40-80.
A survey of 579 adults with chronic pain in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland found that COVID-19 lockdowns worsened pain severity in women, particularly due to increased caregiving responsibilities and emotional response. The study highlights the need for targeted pain management interventions specifically designed for women.
Researchers used 3D printing and virtual reality to prepare for operations in 20 patients, including a 35-week-old fetus and children. The technology reduced trial and error during surgery and improved communication between anaesthesiologists and patients.
A Dutch study of over 1,800 adults found that repeated general anaesthetics have little impact on long-term cognitive decline compared to patient factors such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, smoking, and educational level. Cognitive decline was more strongly linked to these factors than to the number of surgeries under general...
A new study presented at Euroanaesthesia found that critically ill COVID-19 patients with acute kidney injury are more likely to die in the ICU than those with pre-existing chronic kidney disease. The study also showed that dialysis treatment has little impact on survival rates for these patients.
A 61-year-old man received a double lung transplant after suffering severe post-COVID-19 respiratory failure, marking the first such procedure in Portugal. He had undergone extensive treatment, including ECMO and ECCO2R, before qualifying for transplant due to his young age and healthy status.
A Spanish study has found that each patient undergoing anaesthesia generates up to 1kg of plastic waste, with plastic wrappers being the most common item. The study suggests that up to 60% of this waste could be recycled and highlights the need for improved waste management strategies.
A 31-year-old man underwent a heart transplant after recovering from COVID-19, illustrating that the procedure can be successful in patients with severe infections. The patient had been diagnosed with familial inherited cardiomyopathy and had deteriorated rapidly despite treatment.
A German study finds that ambulance call-outs for heart attacks increase when air pollution is high, but decrease with warmer weather. The research highlights the need for better planning and resource allocation by hospitals to address climate change-related changes in weather conditions.
Contrary to previous research, some Covid patients exhibit increased muscle mass, particularly those with a strong immune response, while others experience significant muscle wastage. This study suggests that immune response to Covid may exacerbate muscle damage, potentially impacting recovery and quality of life.
Researchers at Pedro Hispano Hospital installed a gas capture system that collected and recycled waste anaesthetic gases, reducing potent greenhouse gas emissions. The system, based on the principle of circular economy, can be reused in future anaesthetics, significantly reducing emissions.
A Swedish study found COVID-19 intensive care mortality rates were lower compared to other countries, despite higher comorbidities. The study suggests process and organisational factors contributed to the better outcomes.
A majority of European anaesthesiologists and intensive care specialists believe that precious ICU capacity should be shared between nations during international emergencies. The study found that around 60% were in favour of a centralized European institution to distribute such resources.
The UK is facing an uphill battle in meeting its target of halving maternal mortality by 2030 due to increasing social inequalities and health risks. Maternal age, obesity, and caesarean sections are contributing factors. The European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care has highlighted these issues and recommended improvement...
A new review from the European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care examines COVID-19 intensive care treatment allocation in Italy. The review concludes that using age alone to determine who receives ICU treatment is not fair, emphasizing the need for a more nuanced approach considering comorbidity and functional status.
A highly unusual case of a right-handed patient performing unconscious 'mirror-writing' with her left hand while in the midst of having epileptic seizures was reported by doctors. The study, published at Euroanaesthesia, suggests that mirror writing may occur in patients with epilepsy affecting one limb.
Anesthesiologists in Israel used 3D printing and virtual reality to create a personalized airway plan for a 7-year-old girl undergoing lung surgery. The plan reduced trial and error during the operation, allowing for a successful outcome.
Patients overwhelmingly agree that anaesthesia providers should use checklists in their presence, with high scores indicating reduced risk of errors and improved patient safety. However, anaesthesia providers underestimate patient discomfort, suggesting a need for increased collaboration between patients and healthcare professionals.
Researchers warn of risks in allowing skin-to-skin contact between mothers and newborns after a C-section, as cardiac activity can interfere with electrocardiogram readings. Both cases involved abnormal heart rhythms triggered by the baby's touch on ECG electrodes, highlighting the need for safe protocols.
A new technique using air injection has been shown to be effective in releasing a tongue trapped in a bottle, with no need for general anaesthesia or invasive procedures. This method was inspired by the author's experience opening a wine bottle and involved injecting air into the bottle to produce positive pressure.
A large cohort study found that blood transfusion during curative liver cancer surgery increases the risk of cancer recurrence by 23% and death by 55%. The extent to which blood transfusions worsen cancer outcomes is poorly understood.
New research found that patients with high body fat mass had a four-fold increased mortality risk after heart bypass surgery, whereas BMI was not associated with an increased risk. The study also showed that lower lean body weight and higher fat mass were independently linked to longer ICU stays.
A unique case of a chest cavity fire during emergency heart surgery was presented at the Euroanaesthesia Congress. The incident occurred when supplemental oxygen leaked from a ruptured lung, causing a spark from an electrocautery device to ignite a dry surgical pack.
Researchers developed an automated system using facial recognition to predict high-risk behavior in ICU patients, such as removing breathing tubes. The tool achieved moderate accuracy and has the potential to continuously monitor patient safety.
A smartphone app called PainCoach helps patients reduce their use of opiate painkillers and improve pain control after total knee replacement surgery. The app provides personalized advice on pain relief and exercises to help patients manage their pain levels, resulting in lower opiate use and improved quality of life.
A new study finds that virtual reality hypnosis distraction (VRHD) can reduce anxiety and procedure-related pain during locoregional anaesthesia for orthopaedic procedures. The randomised trial shows a significant reduction in the need for intravenous sedation, with 25% of patients requiring no further sedation.
Researchers exposed commonly used anaesthetic drugs to Antarctic weather conditions and found that they were within the allowed security margins, making them safe for use. The study provides reassurance for anaesthetists working in challenging environments.
A systematic review of 483 adults found that nicotine and caffeine withdrawal can lead to agitation, delirium, and increased risk of dying in ICUs. Nicotine substitution therapy was shown to contribute to ICU delirium, while caffeine supplementation may help with headaches.
A new study published at the Euroanaesthesia Congress found that wrong side surgical errors (WSEs) are more common than thought, with over 80 incidents reported in 11 years. The study highlights the need for improved training and implementation of surgical safety checklists to prevent such errors.
Most anesthesiologists (72%) experience emotional and professional effects after medical errors, with common symptoms including guilt, lack of confidence, and anger. Many (60%) seek help from colleagues, but only half feel adequately trained to manage the situation on their own.
A 69-year-old male patient was conscious during CPR after a cardiac arrest, despite efforts to restore a pulse and circulation. The study suggests that the high level of patient awareness was due to good peripheral and cerebral blood flow, but raises questions about proper sedation during resuscitation.
A study found that providing chocolate cookies to students improved their evaluation of teachers and teaching materials. This simple intervention had a significant effect on course evaluation results, suggesting that standardized tools like end-of-course evaluation surveys may not accurately measure the quality of education.
A study published by the European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care found that taking aspirin before and after CABG surgery significantly reduced mortality risk. Patients who took aspirin had a 4-year mortality rate of 10.7%, compared to 16.2% in non-aspirin patients.
A new study found that hypnosedation is an effective alternative to general anesthesia for various surgeries, including breast cancer treatments, gynecological procedures, and superficial plastic surgeries. The technique reduces adverse effects, accelerates postoperative rehabilitation, and improves patient comfort.
A pilot study found that virtual reality sessions before sedation for IVF treatment reduce women's anxiety. The study also showed a slight improvement in biological pregnancy rates, but not clinical pregnancy rates at 12 weeks, with results comparable to those without VR sessions.
New research shows that using a smartphone app or singing the song 'La Macarena' improves the quality of chest compressions during CPR. The study found that both methods increased the proportion of adequate rate, but not depth, of compressions.
A study published in the European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care suggests that nail treatments do not impact digital pulse oximetry readings. Experimental results found no significant variation in blood oxygen saturation levels, even under different physiological conditions. The findings contradict widespread concern and...
Experts discuss emergency medicine in space, where severe medical events and loss of crew life are significant risks during long-duration flights. Alternative CPR methods have been tested in microgravity experiments, showing a 'hand-stand' technique as the most effective method.
Experts at Euroanaesthesia congress discuss good Samaritan laws in Europe and their implications for doctors. They emphasize the importance of a doctor's duty to help, even if they're not able to assist fully, and note that successful claims against doctors are practically unheard of.