Scheduling Anesthesia Time Reduces Case Cancellations and Improves Operating Room Workflow in a University Hospital Setting.

Background: A new method of scheduling anesthesia-controlled time (ACT) was implemented on July 1, 2012 in an academic inpatient operating room (OR) department. This study examined the relationship between this new scheduling method and OR performance. The new method comprised the development of predetermined time frames per anesthetic technique based on historical data of the actual time needed for anesthesia induction and emergence.

Orthogonal polarization spectral imaging of the microcirculation during acute hypervolemic hemodilution and epidural lidocaine injection.

We used Orthogonal Polarization Spectral Imaging to examine the microcirculation of the vaginal mucosa in nine anesthetized patients during two consecutive anesthetic interventions: hypervolemic hemodilution using hydroxyethyl starch followed by thoracic epidural lidocaine. Images taken before and after each intervention were compared. During hypervolemic hemodilution, systolic blood pressures increased significantly, but functional capillary density remained unchanged.

Differences in peripheral arterial and venous hemorheologic parameters.

To evaluate the comparability of hemorheologic parameters in arterial and venous blood, we measured hematocrit, whole blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, erythrocyte deformability, erythrocyte aggregation, and erythrocyte indices in both arterial and venous blood from 20 consecutive patients scheduled for coronary artery surgery and/or valve replacement surgery. Hematocrit, whole blood viscosity at three shear rates (0.05 s-1, 0.

Hemorrheological changes associated with brain death and their implications for potential organ donors.

Successful transplantation of donor organs from brain-dead patients requires adequate maintenance of hemodynamic parameters. Blood flow and tissue perfusion are highly dependent upon hemorrheology. The aim of the present study was to evaluate hemorrheological parameters in potential organ donors compared to healthy volunteers.

The effects of propofol compared to high-dose fentanyl anesthesia on rheologic parameters in coronary artery surgery.

Propofol has previously been found to decrease hematocrit values. Because hematocrit is an important determinant of blood viscosity, lower hematocrits may cause a decrease in blood viscosity, improving blood flow and oxygen delivery. This phenomenon may be beneficial in certain intraoperative situations.