Articles tagged with Anesthesia
A study published in PNAS documents changes associated with prolonged anesthesia in the brains of mice, revealing significant alterations in synaptic architecture. The findings support reports of post-hospital cognitive dysfunction and suggest a physical link between cognitive impairment and prolonged medically induced coma.
Researchers used novel experimental designs to study brain activity during general anesthesia and normal sleep. They found that the effects of anesthesia and sleep on brain activity were surprisingly similar, pointing to a common central core brain network fundamental for human consciousness.
A new study published in The BMJ found that patients who underwent leg artery bypass surgery under spinal or epidural anesthesia had a lower risk of death compared to those under general anesthesia. This may lead to significant cost savings and improved patient outcomes.
A study by researchers at the University of Virginia Health System found that nearly 1 in 8 commercially insured patients received surprise bills for out-of-network expenses after undergoing elective colonoscopies. The team recommends partnering with in-network anesthesia and pathology providers to prevent these unexpected costs.
Researchers investigated exposure to general anesthesia versus regional anesthesia in elective surgery and found no long-term link to dementia. The Journal of the American Geriatrics Society study followed 7,499 individuals aged 66+ for up to 5 years.
Dr. Robert D. Sanders has been recognized by the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) for his significant contributions to anesthesia and translational research. His research focuses on delirium, cognitive decline, and sensory perception under anesthesia, aiming to improve outcomes for elderly patients.
Patricia A. Kapur, MD, has been recognized with the ASA's highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award, for her exceptional contributions to the specialty of anesthesiology. With a distinguished career spanning over three decades, Dr. Kapur has made significant contributions to education, research, and clinical practice.
Researchers found that universal COVID-19 testing of children undergoing anesthesia procedures saved PPE, reducing standard PPE use by 70%. The study also highlighted the importance of accurate testing to prevent exposure to healthcare workers.
Using regional anaesthesia instead of general anaesthesia for hip and knee replacement procedures can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. By eliminating volatile halogenated agents, regional anaesthesia decreases atmospheric pollution, contributing to a potential solution to global warming.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute discover that anesthetics trigger brain loss of consciousness by perturbing lipid clusters in the cell membrane, leading to changes in consciousness. This breakthrough solves a century-old scientific debate and opens up new avenues for understanding brain functions.
New studies reveal that low noradrenaline activity during sleep allows us to block sensory responses, while high noradrenaline levels may lead to hyperarousal. Researchers also found that anesthesia disrupts communication between cortical regions, leading to loss of consciousness.
A new study found that sugammadex significantly reduced rates of pulmonary complications and respiratory failure in patients undergoing surgery compared to neostigmine. The drug works by removing the molecule of rocuronium from muscle receptors, resulting in fewer side effects and a more complete reversal of muscle relaxation.
Coronavirus-infected patients needing emergency surgery require standardized anesthesia procedures to prevent viral transmission and reduce lung injury. The article discusses the need for negative pressure operating rooms, anesthesiologist protection, and special requirements for equipment and drugs.
A new Mayo Clinic study found no link between surgery with general anesthesia and the indicator of Alzheimer's disease. Cortical thinning in cerebral areas was observed, but no significant evidence of amyloid protein deposits, a hallmark of Alzheimer's, was detected.
A new study found that general anesthesia in cesarean delivery is associated with a 54% increase in the odds of severe postpartum depression requiring hospitalization. Women who received regional anesthesia had a lower risk of developing suicidal thoughts or self-inflicted injury.
Researchers used rats to demonstrate that EEG doesn't always track with being awake, raising questions about interpreting EEG data in medical decisions. The study suggests certain EEG features may not accurately capture consciousness levels, but still have value in detecting unconsciousness.
Dr. Mark A. Warner has made significant contributions to the field of anesthesiology through his work on patient care, academic leadership, and scientific discovery. He is a past president of the American Society of Anesthesiologists and has led initiatives in perioperative surgical home model of care.
Dr. Judith Hellman has been awarded the American Society of Anesthesiologists' Excellence in Research Award for her groundbreaking research on sepsis and inflammatory critical illness. Her discoveries have led to improved understanding of inflammation, immune function, and potential treatments for sepsis.
Dr. Seun Johnson-Akeju, a leading expert in neuroscience and anesthesia, has been awarded the 2019 James E. Cottrell Presidential Scholar Award. His research focuses on identifying patients at risk for postoperative neurocognitive dysfunction and developing innovative treatments.
A recent study published in JAMA Neurology found that postpartum women experiencing headaches from anesthesia after neuraxial anesthesia during childbirth are at a higher risk of being diagnosed with intracranial subdural hematoma. The study suggests a potential association between these two conditions.
Researchers found that sevoflurane improved survival rates and reduced bacterial presence in organs of mice with induced sepsis compared to isoflurane or no anesthetic. The study suggests a critical role for the type of general anesthesia used in treating sepsis.
A study of 86 patients reveals how anesthesia drugs can induce life-threatening allergic reactions through alternative immune pathways. Hyperactive immune cells, including neutrophils and macrophages, play a key role in this process, which could lead to the development of new diagnostics for anaphylaxis during anesthesia.
Researchers at Columbia's Data Science Institute used cellular resolution imaging to investigate changes in neuronal microstates during anesthesia. They found that anesthesia disrupts local network dynamics, leading to breakdowns in macroscale connectivity.
Scientists at Duke University discovered that general anesthesia works by hijacking the neural circuitry responsible for sleep and hormone regulation. The study found that certain anesthetic drugs activate a cluster of cells at the base of the brain, leading to unconsciousness and offering potential new avenues for developing pain-free...
The study reports lower hospital stay durations, surgery times, and intraoperative blood loss in awake endoscopic MIS-TLIF procedures. After a minimum of 1-year follow-up, patients experienced significant clinical improvement with durable functional status improvements.
A new study found that closely monitoring brain activity during surgery and adjusting anesthesia levels had no effect on preventing postoperative delirium. However, patients with close brain monitoring had significantly lower 30-day mortality rates.
A new smartphone software system can quickly detect early signs of opioid overdoses through acoustic signals and breathing patterns. The technology holds potential as a cost-effective tool for prompt medical intervention in cases where timely action is crucial.
The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America has issued a new expert guidance on how hospitals can reduce infections associated with anesthesiology procedures and equipment. The guidance recommends steps to improve infection prevention through increased hand hygiene, environmental disinfection, and continuous improvement plans.
A study of 2,346 sibling pairs found no association between general anesthesia and adverse child development outcomes. The research accounted for biological and environmental factors, but the results may not be generalizable to children with lengthy or repeat procedures.
The University of Pittsburgh has received a $1.2 million NSF grant to analyze electronic anesthesia records and prevent postoperative complications and death using machine learning and Big Data analysis. Dr. Heng Huang will develop a new deep learning algorithm to predict surgical outcomes based on historical patient data.
Experts recommend changing the way clinicians and patients describe cognitive changes experienced after anesthesia and surgery, particularly in elderly patients. The new nomenclature suggests Perioperative Neurocognitive Disorder (PND), which includes delirium, delayed neurocognitive recovery, and mild or major neurocognitive disorder.
The SOLVE-TAVI trial found that local anesthesia is both safe and effective for patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), especially those with intermediate to high surgical risk. The study also showed similar outcomes between current-generation balloon-expandable and self-expanding valves.
Researchers used a larval zebrafish model to explore neural mechanisms of general anesthesia. The study revealed that the locus coeruleus (LC) plays a modulatory role in both the induction of and emergence from intravenous general anesthesia via a cooperative mechanism with norepinephrine (NE).
The article discusses clinical early warning scores as new clinical tools to predict future clinical deterioration, particularly related to sepsis. It provides a critical review of the state-of-the-art in early warning algorithms and suggests further research initiatives.
C. David Allis and Michael Grunstein receive the Albert Lasker Basic Medical Research Award for discovering histone modifications influence gene expression. John B. Glen wins the Lasker~DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award for developing propofol, a widely used anesthesia agent.
A study of 200 patients undergoing hip fracture repair found that lighter sedation did not reduce the risk of postoperative delirium in severely ill patients. However, for healthier adults, deep sedation more than doubled the risk of delirium compared to light sedation.
A new Mayo Clinic research study found that general anesthesia and surgery are associated with a subtle decline in memory and thinking skills in adults over 70. The study analyzed nearly 2,000 participants and found that exposure to anesthesia after age 70 was linked to long-term changes in brain function.
The American Association of Feline Practitioners has released the first feline-specific anesthesia guidelines, aimed at reducing complications and mortality in cats undergoing anesthesia. The guidelines address specific causes of disparities and provide a standardized approach for administering anesthesia.
A novel study by Michigan Medicine researchers suggests that the prefrontal cortex has a crucial switchboard-like relationship with other brain areas, helping to ignite awareness of visual information. This finding could lead to new approaches in treating individuals with disorders of consciousness, such as coma or vegetative states.
A new study found that nearly two-thirds of patients admitted to Ontario hospitals with hip fractures did not receive surgery within the recommended 24-hour window. Hospital-level improvements are necessary to address these delays, with factors such as patient transfer and preoperative consultations contributing to wait times.
A new study published in Anesthesiology found no significant differences in death rates, hospital length of stay or costs between anesthesia care teams led by a physician and assisted by a nurse anesthetist or an anesthesiologist assistant. Physician supervision lessens any training differences between the two.
A new study has demonstrated that video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) under local anesthesia can be safely performed on patients with lung cancer who previously would have been deemed inoperable. The procedure showed better patient satisfaction and reduced length of stay compared to traditional surgical methods.
The World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists and WHO have updated international anesthesia standards to improve surgical care worldwide. The guidelines aim to provide concrete standards for facilities, equipment, medications, and professional aspects of anesthesia care.
A Mayo Clinic study found that anesthesia exposure before the third birthday has no significant impact on intelligence, but may affect fine motor skills and behavior. Children with multiple anesthetic exposures showed modest declines in these areas, as well as increased learning and behavioral problems.
Researchers recommend keeping a small dose of dantrolene on hand and having a fully stocked cart elsewhere, as the incidence of the reaction is low. Maintaining a fully stocked cart would divert funds from other patient safety initiatives.
A growing burden of uncontrolled pain in low- and middle-income countries is highlighted, with only 6.7% of medical opioids available to these regions. Experts outline strategies for improving access to pain treatment, including education in multidisciplinary pain medicine and balancing regulation of opioids.
Researchers exposed rhesus macaques to sevoflurane three times during infancy and found increased behaviors such as self-touching and self-grooming at one and two years of age. These subtle changes persist even after the animals are no longer under stress, suggesting a long-term impact on anxiety levels.
Studies analyzing brain activity during sedation, surgical anesthesia, and vegetative states reveal fragmented networks and decreased information integration. Researchers hope to develop better methods for quantifying anesthesia depth and assessing consciousness in patients.
Research in brain science and statistical modeling allows for safer anesthesia administration, reducing side effects and improving patient recovery. Brown's methods use EEG data to fine-tune anesthesia dosing, enabling the safe administration of less anesthesia.
A recent review by CU researcher Vesna Jevtovic-Todorovic examines the effects of general anesthesia on developing brains, revealing that multiple, shorter-lasting exposures during vulnerable periods cause significant impairments. The study's findings have important implications for pediatric surgery and anesthesia practices.
Researchers found that plants react to anesthetics by losing autonomous movements and being immobilized. This study suggests that plants can serve as a suitable alternative test system for human anesthesia.
Acupuncture has strongest evidence for effectiveness in reducing chronic pain, while yoga and other therapies also show positive preliminary evidence. These integrative medicine approaches can help improve pain and reduce opioid use, according to a review of current evidence.
A Massachusetts panel has identified factors contributing to cataract surgery adverse events and strategies for preventing patient harm. The team recommends standardized safety protocols, proper training, and the use of least invasive anesthesia forms to reduce errors.
A new study by University of Pennsylvania researchers has found that the 'push-pull' blood sampling technique is as accurate as venipuncture, but requires no presample to be discarded and minimizes contamination risk. The method uses a catheter's dead space to collect samples, reducing needle pricks and pain for patients.
A single-center study of 1,009 patients found that opioid-free general anesthesia significantly decreased postoperative nausea. The alternative pain management options used during surgery and after recovery showed high patient satisfaction rates.
A standardized eight-step ambulatory surgery care protocol reduced patients' postoperative pain and unplanned returns to the emergency room after surgery. The protocol emphasized patient preoperative education and preferential use of monitored anesthesia care, significantly reducing rates of unplanned visits.
The opioid epidemic has reached crisis proportions, with nearly 90 opioid overdose deaths per day in the US. Anesthesiologists and pain medicine physicians can take a leading role in identifying and solving the issues by using non-opioid drugs and emerging treatments.
A study presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY 2017 annual meeting found that women giving birth in winter or spring are less likely to develop postpartum depression. Higher gestational age and not having anesthesia during delivery increased risk, while increased body mass index was associated with a higher risk.
A recent study has found that patients often overestimate their anticipated level of pain following surgery, which can lead to unnecessary anxiety. Patients receiving regional anesthesia, such as peripheral nerve blocks or epidurals, were more likely to overestimate their postoperative pain.
Researchers develop microneedle technology to increase topical anesthesia penetration, reducing patient discomfort during dental procedures. The method has shown promising results in preliminary tests, with patients tolerating deeper injections.