Key Points ▪ Survival after abdominal organ transplantation continues to improve. ▪ The imbalance between organ supply and demand is increasing as new indications emerge and transplantation is offered to growing numbers of older candidates. ▪ To increase the supply…
Key Points ▪ Innervation of the intraabdominal components of the genitourinary system—the kidney and the ureter—is primarily thoracolumbar (T8-L2). The nerve supply of the pelvic organs—the bladder, prostate, seminal vesicles, and urethra—is primarily lumbosacral with some lower thoracic input. ▪…
Key Points ▪ In the United States more than two out of three people are overweight or obese. Worldwide, more people are obese than are malnourished. Obesity is becoming the largest single preventable cause of death and represents major morbidity…
Key Points ▪ For the purposes of planning a strategy for controlling intracranial pressure (ICP), the four subcompartments of the intracranial space should be considered: cells, interstitial and intracellular fluid, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and blood. ▪ The clinician should make…
Key Points ▪ Perioperative management of patients undergoing vascular surgery requires an understanding of the underlying pathophysiology of the specific vascular lesion. ▪ Major vascular surgery is particularly challenging to the anesthesiologist because these are high-risk operations in a patient…
Key Points ▪ Cardiac arrhythmias are caused by disorders of impulse formation, disorders of impulse conduction, or both. Cardiac arrhythmias may be life-threatening because of a reduction in cardiac output and/or myocardial blood flow or precipitation of a more serious…
Key Points ▪ Common cardiac surgical procedures in adults include coronary revascularization with either cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) or off pump, as well as cardiac valve repair or replacement for valvular regurgitation or stenosis, surgical management of heart failure (e.g., ventricular…
Key Points ▪ Patients undergoing pulmonary resection should have a preoperative assessment of their respiratory function in three areas: lung mechanical function, pulmonary parenchymal function, and cardiopulmonary reserve (the “three-legged stool” of respiratory assessment). ▪ Patients with underlying lung disease…
Key Points ▪ Palliative care is an interprofessional approach to symptom management and decision making for patients with a wide range of serious illnesses and is not limited to patients who are imminently expected to die. ▪ Palliative care teams…
Key Points ▪ The normal physiology of neuronal function, receptors, and ion channels is altered by persistent pain. ▪ Because of the large number of sources and manifestation of chronic pain, classification must include cancer-related, neuropathic, inflammatory, arthritis, and musculoskeletal…