Anesthesiology

Moayeri, Nizar; Groen, Gerbrand J.

Anesthesiology. 111(5):1128-1134, November 2009.

doi: 10.1097/ALN.0b013e3181bbc72a

In sciatic nerve (SN) blocks, differences are seen in risk of nerve damage, minimum effective anesthetic volume, and onset time. The authors examined the ratio of neural to nonneural tissue within the SN in situ in the upper leg of five cadavers. The amount of neural tissue inside the epineurium decreased significantly towards distal components of the SN. Outside SN, the adipose compartment increased significantly toward distal. This suggests a higher vulnerability for neurologic sequelae in proximal SN, and may explain differences in minimum effective anesthetic volume and onset time between proximal and distal SN blocks.

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Poldermans, Don; Schouten, Olaf; van Lier, Felix; Hoeks, Sanne E.; van de Ven, Louis; Stolker, Robert Jan; Fleisher, Lee A.

Anesthesiology. 111(5):940-945, November 2009.

doi: 10.1097/ALN.0b013e3181ba3bf4

Perioperative β-blocker therapy is associated with an increased incidence in postoperative strokes. However, if several aspects are addressed, the risk of stroke seems to be similar to that of patients not on β-blockers.

Silverman, Toby A.; Weiskopf, Richard B.; for the Planning Committee and the Speakers

Anesthesiology. 111(5):946-963, November 2009.

doi: 10.1097/ALN.0b013e3181ba3c2c

Similarity of toxicities for molecularly dissimilar hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers and mitigation strategies were discussed at a National Institutes of Health/Food and Drug Administration-sponsored workshop. Finding appropriate clinical balance of risk:benefit remains challenging.

Avidan, Michael S.; Searleman, Adam C.; Storandt, Martha; Barnett, Kara; Vannucci, Andrea; Saager, Leif; Xiong, Chengjie; Grant, Elizabeth A.; Kaiser, Dagmar; Morris, John C.; Evers, Alex S.

Anesthesiology. 111(5):964-970, November 2009.

doi: 10.1097/ALN.0b013e3181bc9719

Neither demented nor nondemented participants in the Washington University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center had accelerated long-term cognitive decline attributable to surgery or major illness. Surgery and illness were not independently associated with progression to dementia.

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Debiec, Jozef; Conell-Price, Jessamyn; Evansmith, Jennifer; Shafer, Steven L.; Flood, Pamela

Anesthesiology. 111(5):1093-1110, November 2009.

doi: 10.1097/ALN.0b013e3181ba3f28

Mathematical models of the pain and progress of the first stage of labor can detect the effects of patient characteristics on labor progress and pain.

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Dewachter, Pascale; Mouton-Faivre, Claudie; Emala, Charles W.

Anesthesiology. 111(5):1141-1150, November 2009.

doi: 10.1097/ALN.0b013e3181bbd443

Anaphylaxis may be a life-threatening clinical condition and is likely a result of drugs or substances used for anesthesia or surgery. The criteria for the diagnosis and clinical treatment are discussed.