In addition to our dominant sensory modality of vision, there is now convincing evidence that humans are highly efficient at using their sense of olfaction. One study calculated that humans can discriminate over 1 trillion different olfactory cues and suggested…
With as many as 70% of patients reporting severe postoperative pain following this operation, arthroscopic shoulder surgery poses a significant challenge to anesthesiologists [1]. It is one of the most painful surgeries, with its associated pain intensity rivaling that of…
Aortic disease kills about 10,000 people in the US every year, and aortic aneurysms in particular are an emergent subset of aortic disease3. Aortic aneurysm rupture is often a fatal condition, and thus surgical therapies, either open surgery or endovascular repair, aim to prevent rupture…
Growing public dissatisfaction over high medical bills has put pressure on U.S. politicians to enact legislation to protect consumers. The main cause for these surprise bills are out-of-network costs. Due to physician shortages and a more widely insured population following…
An open lung ventilation approach aims to decrease alveolar de-recruitment with the application of high PEEP (positive end-expiratory pressure) and other recruitment techniques. It is used in the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome and other cases of lung de-recruitment [1].…
Patients with epilepsy require special attention from anesthesiologists. They may require anesthesia in otherwise routine procedures, such as dental restorations or imaging studies [1]. Anti-epileptic medications (AEMs) can produce various pharmacologic and physiologic effects that impact anesthesia [2]. Additionally, many anesthetics have been reported to have…
Ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) are licensed outpatient facilities that provide same-day surgical care without the need for hospital admission. ASCs offer cost-effective, high-quality services in a less stressful and more efficient environment than what many hospitals are able to provide (Ambulatory Surgery Center Association). While…
Mid-December marks 9 months since the COVID-19 outbreak was elevated to pandemic status by the World Health Organization (WHO) and since the White House declared a national emergency. Recently, vaccine development has seen significant progress, with a number of vaccines currently in Phase 3 trials.…
Monitored anesthesia care (MAC) refers to an anesthetic technique that involves a patient undergoing sedation without mechanical ventilatory support. [1]. During MAC, patients typically do not need such support and usually retain control of their airways; however, they are sedated throughout the procedure [2]. MAC usually requires fewer sedatives and analgesics than general…
Medication shortages are a global challenge with ethical and economic consequences. There is ongoing debate on how to make decisions and implement clinical strategies to address such situations in the most equitable way. Rationing polices differ by country, state, health care system, and institution. As a new global…