Anesthesiology News and Research

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The branch of medicine that is focused on the relief of pain in the perioperative period (i.e. before, during or after a surgical procedure) is known as anesthesiology. The medicaments administered are termed anesthesia and the doctor who is trained in this specialty is referred to as an anesthesiologist

MCP-1 protein may contribute to failure of AV fistulas created for vascular access in dialysis patients

A protein implicated in the development of vascular diseases may also contribute to the failure of arteriovenous (AV) fistulas created for vascular access in dialysis patients, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN).

23 Dec 2010

New study reveals statin therapy linked to reduced postoperative mortality

Statin drugs were first introduced to lower blood cholesterol concentrations; however, research is now discovering other benefits. A new study from France, published in the January 2011 issue of Anesthesiology, is the first to analyze the impact of preoperative chronic statin therapy on postoperative adverse events in surgical patients. Findings from the study suggest that statin therapy is associated with reduced postoperative mortality.

23 Dec 2010

Spinal Botox injection reduces pain

Botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT/A)—better known as Botox—reduces responses to an inflammation-related pain stimulus when injected into the spinal canal in mice, reports a study in the January issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia, official journal of the International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS).

22 Dec 2010

Contamination with potential disease-causing bacteria is commonly found on hands of anesthesia providers

Contaminating bacteria are very commonly found on the hands of anesthesia providers, with high rates of transmission to the surgical field during operations, reports a study in the January issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia, official journal of the International Anesthesia Research Society.

22 Dec 2010

Wishard expands partnership with SIS to improve perioperative services

Wishard Health Services has expanded its partnership with Surgical Information Systems by adding anesthesia, business intelligence and patient tracking capabilities to its existing SIS perioperative system.

21 Dec 2010

MEDNAX acquires Neonatology Associates in Kingsport

MEDNAX, Inc., today announced the acquisition of a neonatal physician group based in Kingsport, TN.

20 Dec 2010

Nose job gone horribly wrong

A case presented to the Southwark Coroner’s Court heard that doctors continued operating on Kelly McLure, 31, after she suffered her cardiac arrest at the private Belvedere Hospital, in Kent. The paramedics were kept waiting for 45 minutes despite insisting on taking her straight to A&E. However her surgeons Dr Edward Latimer-Sayer and Dr Ahmed el Sayed Moustafa, the anaesthetist, continued with the routine nose and chin procedure after stabilizing her.

19 Dec 2010

MEDNAX acquires pediatric hospitalist group practice in San Antonio

MEDNAX, Inc. today announced the acquisition of a pediatric hospitalist group practice based in San Antonio, TX.

14 Dec 2010

MEDNAX acquires Wilmington Maternal-Fetal Medicine

MEDNAX, Inc., today announced the acquisition of a maternal-fetal medicine physician group based in Wilmington, NC.

13 Dec 2010

Interleukin-1 plays major role in wound healing

Anesthesiologists are playing a leading role in research into the molecular factors affecting inflammation, pain, and healing of surgical incisions, as illustrated by papers published in the December issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia, official journal of the International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS).

7 Dec 2010

Johns Hopkins patient-safety tools help reduce lethal bloodstream infections

Using a widely heralded Johns Hopkins checklist and other patient-safety tools, intensive care units across the state of Michigan reduced the rate of potentially lethal bloodstream infections to near zero.

3 Dec 2010

Hospital-wide patient-safety programs can improve 'culture of safety'

A prescribed set of hospital-wide patient-safety programs can lead to rapid improvements in the "culture of safety" even in a large, complex, academic medical center, according to a new study by safety experts at Johns Hopkins.

3 Dec 2010

Dysfunction in blood vessels plays a role in Alzheimer's disease development

A dysfunction in the lining of blood vessels that is linked to cardiovascular illness also appears to play a role in the development of Alzheimer's disease, according to a study published in Circulation Research: Journal of the American Heart Association.

3 Dec 2010

FDA approves Sagent's general anesthetic midazolam

Sagent Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a privately-held specialty pharmaceutical company, today announced U.S. FDA's approval of four presentations of midazolam injection, USP, a general anesthetic. Sagent expects to launch midazolam, which will be offered in latex-free vials, in 2011. According to 2010 IMS data, the annual U.S. market for injectable midazolam approximated $52 million.

2 Dec 2010

New analysis of stenting vs. endarterectomy for carotid occlusive disease

Doctors have long known that patients with carotid artery stenosis, narrowed blood vessels in the neck, are at significant risk for a stroke. The condition has severe implications. Annually, in the United States, 795,000 patients have strokes that often result in long-term disability or death. For years, however, researchers in North America and Europe have tried to determine the most effective method to treat narrowed or partially blocked carotid vessels.

2 Dec 2010

Research finds alteration in KBTBD13 protein causes nemaline myopathy

Researchers from the Department of Anesthesiology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU), along with research teams from the National Institutes of Health and from Australia, the Netherlands and Spain, have identified a novel gene on chromosome 15q that, when altered, causes nemaline myopathy with cores, a rare inherited muscle disorder. The gene encodes a member of the BTB/Kelch family of proteins.

30 Nov 2010

American Board Diplomat joins Ascendant Neuro for treating pain management

Ascendant Neuro is pleased to announce the addition of Jack A. Chapman, M.D., a nationally recognized pain management specialist, who will work to further advance the group's minimally invasive pain treatment techniques through the innovative use of neurostimulators and other conservative treatments.

25 Nov 2010

Tips to improve obese children's surgical outcomes and health

The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) is taking action to educate parents about the increased risk of complications faced by obese children undergoing anesthesia. The number of obese children has doubled in the past two decades and tripled among adolescents and the ASA encourages parents to help improve both the surgical outcomes and long-term health of America's youth.

20 Nov 2010

FDA clears Multi-Lead Trialing Cable for SCS therapy

Medtronic Inc., the leader in spinal cord stimulation for more than 25 years, today announced U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance and the global launch of the Multi-Lead Trialing Cable for use in the patient screening test for Medtronic spinal cord stimulation (SCS) therapy.

19 Nov 2010

Cigarette smoke, automobile exhaust and french fries increase risk of developing Alzheimer's disease

There is growing evidence that exposure to a group of chemicals known as type-2 alkenes -- which are found in the smoke inhaled from cigarettes, the exhaust of automobiles and even in French fries - can increase the chances of developing Alzheimer's disease and other neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease.

18 Nov 2010