Anesthetics News and Research

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FDA approves Pacira's EXPAREL for postsurgical pain management

Pacira Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announces that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved EXPAREL 1.3% for administration into the surgical site to produce postsurgical analgesia.

31 Oct 2011

Older patients drive more safely after surgery and anesthesia care

A study presented at ANESTHESIOLOGY 2011 found that older patients drove more safely than their younger counterparts after surgery and anesthesia care at an ambulatory surgery facility.

18 Oct 2011

Inhaled anesthetics do not increase incidence of postoperative delirium

A study presented at ANESTHESIOLOGY 2011 in Chicago this week offered firm evidence that commonly used inhaled anesthetics such as isoflurane do not increase the incidence of postoperative delirium, which can affect how well some patients recover after surgery.

18 Oct 2011

Anesthesia in very small kids may raise risk of learning disabilities

According to the latest research very young children exposed to general anesthesia during surgical procedures may be at an increased risk for learning problems.

4 Oct 2011

Poor hospital supplies could spell danger for vulnerable patients

It was found that most hospitals operate with less than a month's supply of many essential medicines, leaving patients vulnerable if local distributors are unable to import them through fragile international supply chains.

29 Sep 2011

No link between duration or depth of general anesthesia and subsequent cancer risk

Helping to allay fears raised by previous studies, a new report finds no link between the duration or depth of general anesthesia and the subsequent risk of developing cancer, according to the October issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia, official journal of the International Anesthesia Research Society.

26 Sep 2011

Study finds no clear advantage of ultrasound guidance for pain relief in nerve block procedures

Using ultrasound to guide the performance of nerve blocks—in which anesthetics are directly targeted to a specific nerve or group of nerves—has contributed to the increased use of regional anesthesia.

17 Sep 2011

General anesthesia can cause cognitive impairment in children

General anesthesia administered to the developing animal brain depresses much needed neuronal activity and communication resulting in long-lasting cognitive impairment, according to an article published in the August issue of Current Opinion in Anesthesiology.

12 Sep 2011

Preterm babies may be experiencing pain during procedures: Study

Preterm may begin to feel pain around a woman's 35th week of pregnancy, about two to four weeks before delivery, according to a new study from University College London. Using EEG, researchers recorded the babies' brain activity in response to pain, comparing their pain responses from a touch and prick on the heels. The findings were published in the journal Current Biology.

9 Sep 2011

Baxter enters definitive agreement to acquire Baxa

Baxter International Inc. announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Baxa Corporation, a privately held company based in Englewood, Colo., with additional operations in Florida and the United Kingdom.

From Baxter International Inc. 25 Aug 2011

USPTO issues Notice of Allowance for Cortex AMPAKINE molecules to treat respiratory depression

Cortex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that it has received a Notice of Allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for a patent that protects the use of AMPAKINE molecules for the treatment or prevention of respiratory depression.

25 Aug 2011

BIS monitor not superior in preventing intraoperative awareness than other alternatives

Anesthesiology researchers have shown that a device approved by the Food and Drug Administration to reduce the risk that patients will recall their surgery does not lower the risk of the problem, known as intraoperative awareness, any more than a less expensive method.

18 Aug 2011

Study looks at intraoperative awareness

In some cases a patient might lie on the operating table conscious and aware of the surgeon's knife despite general anesthesia and this is worrisome say experts. One recent innovation is the so-called bispectral index, a monitoring system which measures electrical brain activity to attempt to detect awareness.

18 Aug 2011

Intralipid may protect patients from heart attacks

A man-made fat called Intralipid, which is currently used as a component of intravenous nutrition and to treat rare overdoses of local anesthetics, may also offer protection for patients suffering from heart attacks.

6 Aug 2011

U.S. hospitals report severe drug shortages: Survey

A survey called “Impact of Drug Shortages on U.S. Health Systems” released this Tuesday showed that a vast majority of U.S. hospitals have restricted the use of life-saving chemotherapy drugs and other critical-care medications in the past six months to cope with unprecedented shortages.

13 Jul 2011

XLR paediatric-optimized MRI workflow to address unmet need in imaging

HTX announced today it provided $475,385 in financing to XLR lmaging Inc. through their Technology Acceleration Program. The company is developing a complete paediatric-optimized MRI workflow solution designed to directly address the unique challenges in paediatric imaging while developing high resolution images and reducing scan times.

8 Jul 2011

Endo's complete response for new formulation of OPANA ER NDA accepted by the FDA

Endo Pharmaceuticals announced today that it received notification from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that Endo's complete response to the FDA's Jan. 7, 2011 Action Letter relating to Endo's new drug application (NDA) for a new formulation of OPANA ER has been accepted.

24 Jun 2011

SNP identification may help predict patients’ susceptibility to postoperative nausea and vomiting

There are several anesthetic complications that may have a hereditary background, including postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). Past observations have shown PONV to occur in blood relatives as far back as two to three generations.

23 Jun 2011

Acura, Pfizer receive FDA approval for OXECTA Tablets to manage severe pain

Pfizer Inc. and Acura Pharmaceuticals Inc. announce the marketing approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of OXECTATM Tablets CII.

20 Jun 2011

Multiple exposures to anesthesia may increase risk of ADHD, learning disabilities in young children

Infants and very young children who are exposed to anesthesia may experience higher rates of learning disabilities and cognitive difficulties than children who are not exposed to anesthesia, according to research and emerging data presented during the SmartTots: Pediatric Anesthesia Neurotoxicity panel at the International Anesthesia Research Society annual meeting in Vancouver, B.C.

30 May 2011