Anesthetics News and Research

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Tapentadol ER improves average intensity of chronic osteoarthritis knee pain: Study

Phase 3 safety and efficacy data comparing tapentadol extended release (ER) tablets, an investigational pain medication, to placebo in patients with moderate to severe chronic osteoarthritis knee pain have been published by Clinical Drug Investigation.

31 Aug 2010

Researchers find smoked cannabis reduces chronic neuropathic pain

For people suffering chronic pain, smoked cannabis reduces pain, improves mood and helps sleep, according to new research published in CMAJ.

30 Aug 2010

'Neural inertia' may explain brain's resistance to changes in consciousness

Despite the fact that an estimated 25 million patients per year in the U.S. undergo surgeries using general anesthesia, scientists have only been able to hypothesize exactly how anesthetics interact with the central nervous system. They previously thought that the processes of "going under" and waking up from anesthesia affected the brain in the same way.

27 Aug 2010

TOPEX announces sale of skin cancer business operations to SENSUS Healthcare

TOPEX, Inc. announces the sale of its skin cancer business operations to SENSUS Healthcare, LLC for its low energy SRT 100 superficial radiotherapy treatment system. Since TOPEX received FDA approval during 2007, many systems have been operating worldwide at hospital radiation oncology centers, dermatology and veterinary oncology practices for the treatment of skin cancer.

19 Aug 2010

Study examines surgical procedures in low-resource settings

A new study shows "that surgery can be safely performed in areas with minimal resources and little or no sophisticated technology," the Los Angeles Times' "Booster Shots" blog reports. The study, published in the Archives of Surgery, examines "almost 20,000 surgical procedures completed in resource-limited areas from 2001 to 2008" by Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) (Roan, 8/16).

18 Aug 2010

Research finds genetic roots of alcoholism in humans

A novel mutation found in a mouse gene might provide new insights into the genetic roots of alcoholism in humans, according to a study led by researchers at the Ernest Gallo Clinic and Research Center and the University of California, San Francisco. The study is published August 12th in the open-access journal PLoS Genetics.

13 Aug 2010

NeuroMetrix second-quarter total revenues decrease to $3.9 million

NeuroMetrix, Inc., a health care company transforming patient care through neurotechnology, today announced its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2010.

10 Aug 2010

Endo to acquire Penwest for $5.00 per share

Endo Pharmaceuticals today announced actions designed to advance the company's leadership and growth in pain management, including an agreement to acquire all outstanding shares of Penwest Pharmaceuticals for $5.00 in cash per share, or an estimated enterprise value of approximately $144 million at the time of deal close. Penwest has been working with Endo since 1997 on the development and commercialization of OPANA® ER and receives a royalty stream on net sales of the product.

10 Aug 2010

Lack of understanding about anesthesia may lead patients to postpone surgery

Lack of understanding and apprehension about anesthesia may lead as many as one in four patients to postpone surgery according to the Vital Health Report, a quarterly health survey of Americans released today by the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA).

4 Aug 2010

Menstrual cycle affects body's response to tracheal intubation: Research

In women undergoing surgery, the heart rate and blood pressure response to ventilation tube placement varies at different times of the menstrual cycle, according to a study in the August issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia, official journal of the International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS).

3 Aug 2010

Study analyses anesthetic effects on surgical site infections

A study appearing in the August 2010 issue of Anesthesiology found that patients receiving a total hip or knee replacement in Taiwan had a higher incidence of surgical site infections (SSIs) when general anesthesia was administered for the operation than when the same procedures were performed under epidural/spinal (regional) anesthesia.

27 Jul 2010

Phase 3 study: Tapentadol ER lowers incidence of gastrointestinal adverse events

A Phase 3 open-label study, recently published online by Pain Practice, has compared tapentadol extended release tablets, an investigational pain medication, to an existing prescription pain medication, oxycodone controlled release tablets.

20 Jul 2010

Anesthesiologists use different chemicals to lessen their carbon footprint

The Sacramento Bee/The Seattle Times: The "choices that anesthesiologists make at a midsize hospital can have the carbon footprint of a small fleet of automobiles, according to a physician who calculated the effects of different options." Anesthesiologists as a result are trying to lessen the environmental impact of the tools of their trade.

16 Jul 2010

Mylan to acquire Bioniche Pharma for $550M

Mylan Inc. today announced plans to acquire Bioniche Pharma Holdings Limited, a privately held, global injectable pharmaceutical company for $550 million in cash. Bioniche Pharma will provide Mylan not only an immediate entry into the North American injectables market but also a platform for future growth opportunities. This transaction is expected to be accretive to Mylan's earnings in year one, without accounting for any operational or other synergies.

15 Jul 2010

Local anesthetics have potential therapeutic effects on IBD: Research article

Inflammatory bowel disease is a disease of the gastrointestinal tract, mainly the intestines that may occur in the people who have genetic potential with a contribution of environmental factors. There has been no definitive medical treatment and drugs usually help the symptoms just to relieve.

8 Jul 2010

US WorldMeds launches Revonto for malignant hyperthermia

US WorldMeds is proud to announce the launch of Revonto™ (dantrolene sodium for injection), the first patented scientific advancement in the treatment of malignant hyperthermia (MH). The time to reconstitute dantrolene sodium for injection has been dramatically reduced to approximately 20 seconds or until the solution is clear. Revonto™ retains the cost-savings of the original dantrolene sodium for injection product while offering a significant improvement in pharmacotherapy.

7 Jul 2010

Suggestions to reduce impact of anesthesia care on global warming

Inhaled anesthetics widely used for surgery—particularly the anesthetic desflurane—make a measurable contribution to global warming, according to a study in the July issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia, official journal of the International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS).

2 Jul 2010

New study finds propofol poses low risk for children undergoing research-driven imaging studies

A new study finds that propofol, a well-known anesthesia medication, has a low occurrence of adverse events for children undergoing research-driven imaging studies. The study, led by a pediatric anesthesiologist now at Children's National Medical Center, showed a low incidence of adverse events and no long term complications when propofol was used to sedate children for imaging studies that require them to be still for long periods of time.

10 Jun 2010

Novel brain mechanism promises new and effective anesthetics

A brain mechanism involved in both dreaming and waking from sleep may hold the key to new, more effective anesthetics and stimulants, reported neuroscientists at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS).

4 Jun 2010

Local anesthetics may have potential therapeutic effects on IBD

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a disease of the gastrointestinal tract, mainly the intestines that may occur in the people who have genetic potential with a contribution of environmental factors.

3 Jun 2010