Latest Updates

Noncandidal Fungal Infections

    • Members of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer–Invasive Fungal Infection Cooperative Group and National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Mycoses Study Group formed a consensus committee to develop standard definitions for invasive fungal infections for clinical research.
    • The development of standardized methodology for antifungal susceptibility testing is another recent advance in the laboratory evaluation of Aspergillus species. Although azole resistance by Aspergillus species is unusual, patients exposed chronically to antifungal triazoles have been reported to have refractory infection caused by isolates with elevated minimum inhibitory concentrations.
    • Fusarium and Scedosporium species are increasingly common causes of infections in surgical patients, especially in recipients of stem cell or organ transplants.

Management of Drug Interactions between Anti-infectives and Common Anesthetics

    • Rocuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade is potentiated by a synergistic effect of gentamicin and clindamycin, which may delay recovery.
    • Penicillins form a complex with sugammadex, which may interfere with the therapeutically intended sugammadex-rocuronium complex.
    • Ondansetron can decrease the analgesic efficacy of acetaminophen at high doses.
    • Anesthesiologists are positioned to manage interactions between anesthetic agents and antimicrobials in the operating room.

Management of Postpartum Hemorrhage

    • In a 2015 population-based, cross-sectional study conducted by the United Kingdom Obstetric Surveillance System on women requiring massive postpartum transfusion for PPH, uterine atony was found to be responsible 40% of the time. Atony represents a large proportion of cases of PPH, and its incidence is on the rise. Over recent years, we have observed a significant rise in the rate of PPH attributed to uterine atony not only in the United States but also worldwide.
    • Originally described in 1997, the B-Lynch compression suture is an effective and easily used tool for the management of PPH. This technique involves placing brace sutures over the fundus of the uterus to apply ongoing compression of the uterus.
    • The correct ratio of packed red blood cells to fresh frozen plasma to platelets in the setting of obstetrical hemorrhage remains controversial. Most experts advocate for a 1:1:1 ratio in the setting of active bleeding, whereas others advocate for 6:4:1 or 2:1 (with platelets to be given after the first 4:2).

Cardiac Arrhythmias, Acute Coronary Syndromes, and Heart Failure in the Surgical Patient

    • To recognize and treat important cardiac arrhythmias in the surgical patient using the latest advances
    • Most up to date guidelines in management of Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) in Surgical Patients
    • Recent progress in management ofheart failure in postoperative and traumatic patients

Pediatric Gynecologic Exam

    Cardiac System

      • Contemporary understanding of ventricular mechanics with identification of the structure and function of the ventricular myocardial band
      • Detailed description of the anatomic proximity of cardiac structures and how knowledge of this proximity helps prevent intraoperative complications and damage to critical cardiac structures
      • Comprehensive description of aortic root anatomy and mechanics and application of how this anatomy dictates performance of transcatheter aortic valve replacement  

    Cardiac Patients for Non-Cardiac Surgeries

      • Improved survival of patients with congenital heart disease requires all anesthesiologists to be familiar with basic pathophysiological concepts and long term problems after repair or palliation of heart defects.
      • Complex congenital heart defects are nowadays often managed with staged palliations and multiple interventions in the cardiac catheterization laboratory. A thorough understanding of the physiological implications for each of these stages is important for a safe anesthetic management.
      • Minimal invasive surgical techniques can have major implications for patients with single ventricle physiology.
      • Recent advances in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension and heart transplantations will increase the number of imaging studies and interventions for surveillance and therapy adjustments.   

    Noncandidal Fungal Infections

      • Members of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer–Invasive Fungal Infection Cooperative Group and National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Mycoses Study Group formed a consensus committee to develop standard definitions for invasive fungal infections for clinical research.
      • The development of standardized methodology for antifungal susceptibility testing is another recent advance in the laboratory evaluation of Aspergillus species. Although azole resistance by Aspergillus species is unusual, patients exposed chronically to antifungal triazoles have been reported to have refractory infection caused by isolates with elevated minimum inhibitory concentrations.
      • Fusarium and Scedosporium species are increasingly common causes of infections in surgical patients, especially in recipients of stem cell or organ transplants.
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