Comparison of direct and video-assisted views of the larynx during routine intubation.

Objective: To compare the direct and indirect (video monitor) views of the glottic opening using a new Macintosh blade that is modified to provide a video image of airway structures during laryngoscopy.

Design: Prospective multicenter trial.

Setting: 11 university-affiliated hospitals.

Nicardipine versus nitroprusside for deliberate hypotension during idiopathic scoliosis repair.

Study Objective: To compare coagulation, blood loss, and transfusion requirements between patients receiving nicardipine and nitroprusside for deliberate hypotension during idiopathic scoliosis repair.

Design: Prospective, randomized study.

Setting: University hospital.

Preoperative stress testing: new guidelines.

To date, there are no well controlled trials in the literature that demonstrate an outcome benefit using stress testing as a screening procedure before noncardiac surgery. Perioperative beta-blockade significantly decreases morbidity and mortality, and thus reduces any potential benefit stress testing may have in identifying patients who may advance to more invasive treatment. Preoperative percutaneous coronary intervention has unproven perioperative benefit, and coronary artery bypass graft carries risks that often offset the risk of noncardiac surgery.