• Risk factors for malignant hyperthermia (MH) include a family history of severe hyperthermia or sudden hypermetabolic state during anesthesia with exposure to succinylcholine and/or potent inhalation anesthetics, and ryanodine…
• Flumazenil, when used for benzodiazepine overdose, may unmask seizures caused by a coingested substance or precipitate acute withdrawal in the patient who habitually uses benzodiazepines. • β-Adrenergic antagonists, when…
In the last 2 decades, there has been a robust demand for outpatient pediatric procedural sedation, now provided by myriad pediatric subspecialists, including pediatric intensivists. , The intensivist who is…
• Physical dependency and withdrawal have been documented in all agents used for sedation and analgesia in the pediatric intensive care unit, including benzodiazepines, barbiturates, opioids, dexmedetomidine, propofol, and the…
• Through the blockade of skeletal muscle function, neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) cause cessation of respiratory function, mandating airway control and the institution of mechanical ventilation. NMBAs should not be…
Pearls • The accurate estimation of burn severity is crucial both for appropriate resuscitation and for maintenance of adequate urine output and hemodynamics, including blood pressure and cardiac output. The…
• Snakebite-related morbidity and mortality are reduced most effectively by rapid transport, intensive care support, and the administration of antivenin. • Pit viper envenomation may produce both painful local tissue…
• The preoperative evaluation, which is performed prior to any anesthetic intervention, includes a history of present illness; past medical problems, including medication allergies; a past surgical and anesthetic history;…
• Because of increased bone elasticity, rib fractures are uncommon in children and indicate significant traumatic energy delivery, raising concern for injuries of underlying viscera or nonaccidental trauma. • Children…
• Poisoned patients are frequently encountered in the intensive care setting and often pose a diagnostic challenge. Skills in taking a history and performing a thorough physical exam, as well…
