The practice of spiking intravenous (IV) fluid bags in advance of administration has long been debated due to concerns about microbial contamination and patient safety. Previous interpretations of infection control guidance, particularly those linked to United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Chapter 797, promoted strict limits on the time between spiking and infusion. These policies were largely… Continue reading Spiking IV Bags Ahead of Time 

The search for effective non-opioid analgesics is a global priority due to the risks associated with opioid use, including dependence and adverse side effects. One promising candidate is neridronate, a third-generation bisphosphonate traditionally used to treat bone disorders. Recent research suggests that neridronate may also offer significant pain relief, positioning it as a potential non-opioid analgesic.  Neridronate belongs to the bisphosphonate class of drugs, which primarily act by… Continue reading Current Research on Neridronate as a Non-Opioid Analgesic

Perioperative hemodynamic instability, especially hypotension during anesthetic induction, is a major contributor to adverse outcomes in high-risk surgical patients. Prophylactic administration of norepinephrine has emerged as a strategy to maintain blood pressure during induction and reduce associated complications. A growing body of literature supports the targeted use of prophylactic norepinephrine in patients at high risk… Continue reading Data on Prophylactic Norepinephrine During Induction for High-Risk Patients

The environmental impact of healthcare has become an increasing focus of policy and research, with anesthetic gases identified as a measurable contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Among volatile anesthetics, desflurane has emerged as a particular concern because of its exceptionally high global warming potential. In response to growing evidence and international climate commitments, the European… Continue reading New Desflurane Regulation in EU

Fasting for a set period of time before an operation, also known as “nothing by mouth” or NPO, is a requirement to prevent patients from aspirating stomach contents during surgery.1 When under anesthesia, patients’ gag and cough reflexes are suppressed, preventing them from vomiting normally. Additionally, some anesthetic agents also relax the muscle that prevents… Continue reading Are Patients Always Required to Fast Before a Procedure?

General anesthesia induces sedation, analgesia, immobility, and amnesia and is an essential component of many surgeries. However, if managed poorly, anesthetic delivery carries risks, including intraoperative awareness, delayed recovery, organ damage, and increased mortality. Anesthesiologists monitor anesthesia through a variety of physiological indicators, but novel brain-state monitoring techniques are being increasingly used to enhance safety.… Continue reading Anesthesia Monitoring Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS)

As perioperative care grows more complex, anesthesiologists are increasingly expected to interpret medical imaging at the point of care. Familiarity with chest radiographs, point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography (TTE/TEE), and ultrasound-guided regional anatomy has transitioned from a desirable skill to an essential competency. Training programs for anesthesiologists must therefore integrate structured curricula, assessment,… Continue reading Anesthesiologist Training to Read Medical Imaging Scans

Anticholinesterases, also known as cholinesterase inhibitors, are a class of drugs that inhibit acetylcholinesterase, the enzyme responsible for degrading the neurotransmitter acetylcholine at the junctions between neurons. By preventing the breakdown of acetylcholine, anticholinesterases prolong the neurotransmitter’s activity at nerve cell receptors. They are used to treat a range of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s and… Continue reading Anticholinesterases in Anesthesia

The perioperative period presents a critical window in which nutrition influences surgical outcomes, recovery trajectories, and overall patient survival. Malnutrition, whether overt or subclinical, is a prevalent and often underestimated risk factor among surgical patients. Numerous studies have demonstrated that inadequate nutritional status prior to surgery increases the likelihood of postoperative complications, including infections, delayed… Continue reading The Importance of Nutrition in the Perioperative Setting