When is epinephrine prescribed for anaphylaxis?

Anaphylaxis represents a severe allergic reaction that is rapid in onset and can be fatal 1. Epinephrine is the first-choice medication in the treatment of anaphylaxis, both in the community and in the hospital setting 2. Nonetheless, epinephrine is largely underused 3. The purpose of this study was to examine the reasons that currently motivate professionals to treat anaphylaxis with epinephrine in the Emergency Department (ED) and the prescription of EAI for outpatient use after the allergy workup.

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Cheaper drugs and techniques to fulfill chief executive officer perspectives – any choices?

Purpose of review Against the background of increasing healthcare costs and diminishing budgets, this review aims to present clinicians with ethically viable options to overcome budgetary restraints when seeking to introduce novel products. Recent findings Healthcare administrators and primary healthcare providers are not unlikely to have different opinions when discussing the introduction of novel products. However, rather than taking a 'no' for an answer, doctors may be able to argue for a change – even if this may seem to come at a higher cost. The recent introduction of the reversal agent sugammadex may provide a timely example for the possibility of success 'against all financial odds'. Summary Health professionals have the responsibility to deliver high-quality care while acknowledging the financial budget constraints. However, evidence (vs. perception) for outcome benefits of novel drugs or devices should stimulate a robust desire for their timely introduction. Demonstrating actual benefits understandable to administrators, seeking alliances with other medical specialties or patient groups, as well as negotiations with the healthcare industry may all represent viable options. Simply waiting for patents to expire should remain a measure of last resort. Correspondence to Professor Thomas Ledowski, Department of Anaesthesia and Pain Medicine, Royal Perth Hospital, 197 Wellington Street, Perth, Western Australia 6000, Australia. Tel: +61 8 92242244; e-mail: Thomas.ledowski@health.wa.gov.au Copyright © 2018 YEAR Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Withholding or withdrawing life support versus physician-assisted death: a distinction with a difference?

Purpose of review Withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining therapy is generally differentiated from physician-assisted suicide or euthanasia based on the distinction between intention and foresight. We reviewed the literature surrounding the validity of this distinction. Recent findings Many physicians from different specialties express a perceived distinction between intention and foresight. The distinction between intention and foresight differs from the morally irrelevant distinction between doing and allowing. Intention and foresight may be distinguished by their opposing directions of fit between world and mind. Intention is held to be of greater moral significance than foresight because it guides and constrains our actions, determines the moral quality of our actions, and expresses the moral character of the agent. Opponents of the distinction argue that it undermines moral accountability for foreseen consequences of our actions and is overly concerned with the physician's state of mind rather than the patient's experience. They also argue that intentions may be vague and difficult to express or ascertain. Summary Several reasons may be given in favor of the distinction between intention and foresight. Given this distinction, the moral permissibility of withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining therapy does not necessarily entail the moral permissibility of physician-assisted suicide or euthanasia. Correspondence to Ewan C. Goligher, MD, PhD, Toronto General Hospital, 585 University Ave., Peter Munk Building, 11-192, Toronto, ON M5G 2N2, Canada. Tel: +1 416 340 4800 ext. 6810; e-mail: ewan.goligher@utoronto.ca Copyright © 2018 YEAR Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Role of anesthesiologists in managing perioperative anemia

Purpose of review Anemia can contribute negatively to a patient's morbidity and mortality. Which treatment options do exist and what role do anesthesiologists play in management of perioperative anemia treatment? This review gives an overview about recent findings. Recent findings Patient Blood Management and standards for the management and treatment of anemia have been established worldwide. Various logistic settings and approaches are possible. With a special focus on cardiovascular anesthesia, intravenous iron is a therapeutic option in the preoperative setting. Autologous blood salvage is a standard procedure during surgery. Restrictive transfusion triggers in adult cardiac surgery have been shown to be beneficial in the majority of studies. Elderly patients and defined comorbidities might require higher transfusion triggers. Both, intravenous and oral iron increase hemoglobin values when given prior to surgery. Oral iron is effective when given several weeks prior to elective surgery. Erythropoietin is a treatment decision individualized to each patient. Summary Within the previous 18 months, important publications have demonstrated the established role of anesthesiologists in managing perioperative anemia. A substantial pillar for anemia treatment is the implementation of Patient Blood Management worldwide. Correspondence to Andrea U. Steinbicker, MD, MPH, Westfalische Wilhelms-Universitat Munster, Muenster; Muenster University Hospital, Albert-SChweitzer Campus 1, Building A1, 48149 Muenster, Germany. Tel: +0049 251 83 47898; e-mail: andrea.steinbicker@ukmuenster.de Copyright © 2018 YEAR Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Preoperative rehabilitation for thoracic surgery

Purpose of review Lung resection provides the best outcome for patients with early stage lung cancer. However, lung cancer surgery carries a significant risk of perioperative complications. Patient risk may be reduced by addressing modifiable risk factors in the preoperative period. We review how this can be achieved through preoperative rehabilitation pathways. Recent findings Cardiorespiratory fitness is an independent predictor of survival for nonsmall cell cancer. Preoperative exercise programmes may improve cardiorespiratory reserve and reduce perioperative complications. Additional benefits may be achieved through interventions such as smoking cessation programmes, correction of anaemia, improvement of nutritional status and improved oral hygiene. These interventions may also have the additional benefit of enabling high-risk patients previously deemed unsuitable for surgery to be optimized to such a degree that they can undergo surgery. These interventions will achieve maximal benefit when delivered early in lung cancer pathways; this requires close collaboration amongst multidisciplinary teams. Summary Lung cancer surgery carries significant risk of postoperative pulmonary complications. Through integrating prehabilitation interventions into lung cancer pathways, there are opportunities to improve long-term outcomes for patients. Correspondence to Richard Templeton, MB.ChB, FRCA, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester Foundation Trust, Southmoor Road, Manchester M23 9LT, UK. Tel: +441612914514; e-mail: rtempleton7@doctors.org.uk Copyright © 2018 YEAR Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors: an overview and perioperative implications

Purpose of review Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors are a relatively new class of drugs used in the management of diabetes mellitus. This review will highlight key pharmacologic characteristics of this class of drugs; discuss their potential role in management of patients with cardiac disease; and raise several perioperative concerns for anesthesiologists caring for patients on SGLT-2 inhibitors. Recent findings Recent trials have shown a strong mortality benefit in diabetic patients on SGLT 2 inhibitors especially in patients with a high cardiovascular burden. In addition, there is a reduction in HbA1c levels, blood pressure, weight and readmissions secondary to heart failure in this patient population. However, these drugs have been also associated with an increased incidence of adverse events, such as euglycemic ketoacidosis, urinary tract infections, acute kidney injury and limb amputations. Summary SGLT 2 inhibitors are being increasingly prescribed secondary to their significant salutatory effect in patients with type II diabetes mellitus. Although there are no perioperative consensus guidelines for management of patients on SGLT2 inhibitors, they should be discontinued at least 24–48 h prior to major surgeries. Their overall management in the perioperative period should be carried out on a case-to-case basis using a multidisciplinary approach. Correspondence to Amit Bardia, MBBS, Department of Anesthesiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06515, USA. E-mail: amit.bardia@yale.edu Copyright © 2018 YEAR Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Ethical lessons learned and to be learned from mass casualty events by terrorism

Purpose of review The world has seen a major upturn in international terror awareness. Medicine has had to respond. In addition to the unique physical and mental injuries caused by terror which require special clinical attention, so too terror represents a challenge for medicine from an ethics perspective. Recent findings Several responses in the literature over the past few years have attempted to reflect where the battlefront of ethical dilemmas falls. These include issues of resource allocation, triage, bioterror, the therapeutic relationship with terrorists, dual loyalty, and challenges in the role in the promotion of virtuous behavior as a physician under difficult conditions. Summary Although many challenges exist, physicians need to be prepared for ethical response to terror. With their associated unique status, providing legitimacy and specialized ability in the management and approach to terror situations, physicians are held to a higher standard and need to rise to the occasion. This is required in order to promote ethical behavior under trying conditions and ethical sensitivity of the medical profession by means of being attuned to the reality around. Correspondence to Rael D. Strous, MD, MHA, Mayanei Hayeshua Medical Center, 17 HaRav Povarski Street, Bnei Brak, Israel. Tel: +972 73 3398015; fax: +972 73 3398003; e-mail: raels@post.tau.ac.il Copyright © 2018 YEAR Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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