IRON NOF trial: IV iron for anaemic patients with femoral fracture.

Background: Preoperative anaemia is associated with increased use of blood transfusions, a greater risk of postoperative complications, and patient morbidity. The IRON NOF trial aimed to investigate whether the administration of i.v.

Associations between non-anaemic iron deficiency and outcomes following elective cardiac surgery (IDOCS): a prospective cohort study.

Background: One in two adults undergoing cardiac surgery are iron deficient, best practice guidelines and consensus statements recommend routine investigation and treatment of iron deficiency before elective cardiac surgery, even in the absence of anaemia; however, it is not clear if non-anaemic iron deficiency is associated with worse outcomes in this patient population. We hypothesised that iron deficiency would be associated with worse postoperative outcomes than an iron replete state in adults without anaemia undergoing elective cardiac surgery.

Methods: We performed a prospective, cohort study at two hospitals in Australia.

Rationale and design of the intravenous iron for treatment of anemia before cardiac surgery trial.

Background Approximately 20% to 30% of patients awaiting cardiac surgery are anemic. Anemia increases the likelihood of requiring a red cell transfusion and is associated with increased complications, intensive care, and hospital stay following surgery. Iron deficiency is the commonest cause of anemia and preoperative intravenous (IV) iron therapy thus may improve anemia and therefore patient outcome following cardiac surgery.

Is Preoperative Endothelial Dysfunction a Potentially Modifiable Risk Factor for Renal Injury Associated With Noncardiac Surgery?

Objectives: To determine whether preoperative endothelial dysfunction provides risk stratification for perioperative renal injury in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery. The relationship between perioperative renal injury and myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery (MINS) was explored secondarily.

Design: An observational study.

A systematic review of ketamine as an analgesic agent in adult burn injuries.

Objective: To assess the current literature regarding the effectiveness and side-effect profile of intravenous ketamine as a means of pain relief when compared with placebo or as an adjunct to opioid analgesia in patients exposed to burn injury.

Design: Electronic searches of MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, and The Cochrane Library databases from 1966 onward were used to identify clinical trials comparing ketamine with placebo in the adult burn population.

Outcomes Measured: Effectiveness and side-effect profile of ketamine as an analgesic agent in burn injuries.

Effect of nitrous oxide anesthesia on plasma homocysteine and endothelial function.

Background: Endothelial function is impaired with hyperhomocysteinemia. Plasma homocysteine is increased by nitrous oxide anesthesia. The current study was designed to determine whether endothelial function is impaired after surgery and whether this is made worse by exposure to nitrous oxide.

Neuropathic pain and foot drop related to nerve injury after short duration surgery and caudal analgesia.

Caudal anesthesia is the most common type of regional anesthetic technique performed in children. The incidence of neurologic adverse events is extremely rare. A postoperative complication of a mild but permanent neurologic deficit after administration of a caudal anesthetic in a previously well 9-year-old boy who required emergency scrotal exploration for a testicular torsion is reported.