Anesthesia Key

Introduction Glucocorticoids were introduced into clinical practice in 1949 with the release of a purified preparation known as cortisone. The treatment was revolutionary for patients with primary adrenal insufficiency (AI)…

Introduction Perioperative blood loss is a common problem faced by anesthesiologists and surgeons. There is no substitute for proper surgical technique, but anesthesiologists have several ways in which they can…

Introduction Blood transfusions are common. In 2009, approximately 15 million units of red blood cells were transfused in the United States. Between 60% and 70% of all red blood cell…

Introduction A growing number of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures are performed outside the operating room. This increase is especially noticeable in the field of gastroenterology. There is an ever increasing…

Introduction Pulmonary complications remain common after many surgical procedures, particularly those involving the upper abdomen or thorax. Procedures that involve resection of lung tissue carry an even higher risk of…

Introduction Airway management is the essence of the practice of clinical anesthesiology. Preoperative assessment of the patient’s airway is the first step in the evaluation and planning of a safe,…

Introduction Most anesthesiologists take care of emergency patients in the operating room (OR) or as part of a “code team” in their hospital. Whether dealing with a surgical crisis in…

Introduction Difficult airway management is one of the most challenging tasks for anesthesiologists. Recent data from the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Management Closed Claims Project, specifically those findings related…