Prediction of rate and severity of adverse perioperative outcomes: "normal accidents" revisited.

The American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification system has been shown to predict the frequency of perioperative morbidity and mortality despite known subjectivity, inconsistent application, and exclusion of many perioperative confounding variables. The authors examined the relationship between the American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status and both the frequency and the severity of adverse events over a 10-year period in an academic anesthesiology practice. The American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status is predictive of not only the frequency of adverse perioperative events, but also the severity of adverse events.

A demographic, service, and financial survey of anesthesia training programs in the United States.

Unlabelled: In February 2000, a demographic, service, and finance survey was sent to the directors of anesthesiology training programs in the United States under the auspices of the Society of Academic Anesthesia Chairs/Association of Academic Program Directors. In August of 2000, 2001, and 2002, shorter follow-up surveys were sent to the same program directors requesting the numbers of vacancies in faculty positions and certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNA) positions. The August 2001 survey also inquired if departments had positive or negative financial margins for the fiscal year ending June 2001.

A new short-acting non-depolarizing muscle relaxant (SZ1677) without cardiovascular side-effects.

Background: In order to facilitate rapid tracheal intubation, the development of a rapid onset, short duration, non-depolarizing muscle relaxant without cardiovascular side-effects would be a significant accomplishment in the field of anesthesiology. The aim of the present study was to test the action of a new non-depolarizing muscle relaxant (SZ1677) on neuromuscular transmission, muscarinic (M2, M3) receptors and cardiovascular reactions and to compare it with clinically used muscle relaxants.

Methods: Neuromuscular transmission was studied by recording muscle contractions elicited by indirect electrical stimulation, using (i).

Presynaptic inhibitory effects of rocuronium and SZ1677 on [3H]acetylcholine release from the mouse hemidiaphragm preparation.

It has been shown that nondepolarizing muscle relaxants may have effects on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) other than those located on the skeletal muscle: some of them possess inhibitory effects on neuronal nAChRs [Anesth. Analg. 59 (1980) 935; Trends Pharmacol.