Preoperative management of medications for psychiatric disorders.

Perioperative medication management is a complex topic. Physicians working in the perioperative space are frequently called upon to make decisions regarding continuing or stopping certain medications. For patients with psychiatric disorders, the overwhelming recommendation is to continue therapy with heightened awareness of anesthesiologists regarding potential side effects or medication interactions.

Endocrine emergencies in anesthesia.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: An increasing number of patients with endocrine disorders will present to the operating rooms. In this review, we outline the common endocrine disorders that the anesthesiologist may face in the perioperative time span, review the controversies in optimal management, as well as summarize the recent literature for the management of these complex patients. RECENT FINDINGS: Perioperative management of pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma has been facilitated by improved medical management and the adoption of minimally invasive surgical techniques. An improved understanding of the sequelae of carcinoid syndrome has resulted in safer perioperative management. Perioperative glycemic management requires a fundamental understanding of perioperative fluid resuscitation and adverse events associated with the new generation oral hyperglycemic agents to prevent avoidable complications. SUMMARY: Endocrine disorders will commonly present in the perioperative time period and the anesthesiologist plays a critical role in achieving good operative outcomes.

The Electrophysiology Laboratory: Anesthetic Considerations and Staffing Models.

The electrophysiology laboratory facilitates complex procedures on patients, many of whom have advanced disease processes and extensive comorbidities. Historically, nurses administered sedation as required, but in recent years a shift to anesthesiologist-led sedation has been promoted for patient safety and advanced therapeutic considerations. Uncertainty remains, however, regarding whether the electrophysiology laboratory is best staffed with general or cardiothoracic anesthesiologists. In this article, the authors discuss the anesthetic considerations of some commonly performed electrophysiology and structural cardiac procedures and the pros and cons of staffing with general or cardiothoracic anesthesiologists.

Nonoperating room anesthesia in different parts of the world.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Advances in early diagnosis and treatment of diseases using minimally invasive procedures has led to an increase in the number of cases in locations outside the operating room. This surge created the need for anesthesia services to expand to these areas to provide well tolerated and favorable procedural conditions. The present review describes nonoperating room anesthesia patterns in different parts of the world. RECENT FINDINGS: Nonoperating room anesthesia has grown exponentially over the last years. Patients scheduled in these areas are sicker and older compared to the operating room patients. Anesthesiologist-directed care has proven to be well tolerated, with less serious complications and improvement in patients and proceduralist satisfaction. SUMMARY: There are marked variations in how anesthesia services are delivered in out of operating room locations in different parts of the world. Although there are some data available from the United States, expansion of minimally invasive procedures across continents will likely lead to the emergence of various models of delivering anesthetic care.

Modified Anesthesia Protocol for Electroconvulsive Therapy Permits Reduction in Aerosol-Generating Bag-Mask Ventilation during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a critical procedure in psychiatric treatment, but as typically delivered involves the use of bag-mask ventilation (BMV), which during the COVID-19 pandemic exposes patients and treatment staff to potentially infectious aerosols. OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the utility of a modified anesthesia protocol for ECT utilizing preoxygenation by facemask and withholding the use of BMV for only those patients who desaturate during the apneic period. METHODS: This chart review study analyzes patients who were treated with ECT using both the traditional and modified anesthesia protocols. RESULTS: A total of 106 patients were analyzed, of whom 51 (48.1%) required BMV using the new protocol. Of clinical factors, only patient BMI was significantly associated with the requirement for BMV. Mean seizure duration reduced from 52.0 ± 22.4 to 46.6 ± 17.1 s, but seizure duration was adequate in all cases. No acute physical, respiratory, or psychiatric complications occurred during treatment. CONCLUSIONS: A modified anesthesia protocol reduces the use of BMV by more than 50%, while retaining adequate seizure duration.

Perioperative ß-blocker use: what is new in 2020?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Although the indications for ß-blockers in the management of patients with congestive heart failure and myocardial infarction are well established, the use of ß-blockers in the perioperative setting remains controversial. RECENT FINDINGS: Since 2008 PeriOperative ISchemic Evaluation Trial, there have been numerous studies suggesting that perioperative ß-blockers are associated with adverse events such as hypotension, bradycardia, increased mortality, and stroke. SUMMARY: In this article, we review the most recent evidence to suggest an approach to perioperative ß-blocker use tailored to patient and surgical risk factors. We also review recent studies on off-label uses for perioperative ß-blockers.

Pain and genetics.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Pain management is one of the most important fields in the practice of anesthesiology. The concept that genes involved in the absorption, metabolism, and receptor affinity of analgesics are critical to a drug's efficacy is becoming widely accepted. A review of pharmacogenomics and how it affects the response to analgesics, mainly opioids, is presented in this article. RECENT FINDINGS: As the field of pharmacogenomics expands, more and more candidate genes are being evaluated. Genes related to the µ-opioid receptor, ATP-binding cassette subfamily B, catechol-O-methyltransferase, and cytochrome 2D6 currently show promise in helping predict the gene phenotype. Recent studies have also focused on the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist and the melanocortin-1 receptor, further adding to the picture. SUMMARY: Through increased knowledge in the area of pharmacogenomics, it is hoped that that treatment of pain will move into the realm of personalized medicine. This should result in greater treatment success and a reduction of significant side-effects.