Postprandial hypotension as a predictor of respiratory failure in patients with foodborne botulinum intoxication - a case-control study in outbreak investigation.

Objectives: Botulism is a rare syndrome characterized by acute, flaccid paralysis with possible involvement of respiratory muscle-producing pump failure requiring mechanical ventilation. A predominance of autonomic involvement can occur.

Methods: We enrolled patients affected by foodborne botulism during an outbreak.

Heart rate variability is associated with disease severity and portal hypertension in cirrhosis.

Introduction: Autonomic nervous system activity in cirrhotic portal hypertension is linked to hyperdynamic circulation. Heart rate variability (HRV) is a validated noninvasive method to assess the sympathovagal balance. To investigate the correlation between HRV parameters and degree of portal hypertension, we studied a cohort of patients with cirrhosis accounting for etiology and treatments.

Improving learning by playing with an app: The FantaTraining experience with anesthesia trainees.

FantaTraining is an app that simulates a football league. Each participant represents a team, and the game is played with the opposing team by answering a questionnaire. In the intervals between games, participants can practice by consulting the educational material (films, short texts, or slides) in the app.

Achieving Lumbar Epidural Block Competency in Inexperienced Trainees after a Structured Epidural Teaching Model: A Randomized, Single Blind, Prospective Comparison of CUSUM Learning Curves.

Aim: The aim of this randomized, prospective study was to investigate whether the use of the structured epidural teaching model (SETM) may affect the learning curve for lumbar epidural block in novice trainees when compared with a standard teaching module.

Introduction: There is a paucity of literature regarding the efficacy of teaching epidural blocks and comparisons between the different educational approaches.

Method: Forty-four PGY3 anesthesia trainees were randomized to receive (study group) or to not receive (control group) the SDM (structured didactic model) before the beginning of their 6 months clinical practice rotation in labor and delivery suites.

"The importance of being external": review of the literature of the rare phenomenon of common carotid occlusion with bulb reverse-crossed stenosis and external collaterals activation. Is still correct speaking about carotid steal?

Common carotid artery occlusion (CCAO) is a rare phenomenon associated with the development of neurological symptoms. In CCAO, diversion of blood flow from the external carotid artery (ECA) to the internal carotid artery (ICA) via the carotid bulb (CB) may occur. This pathway activation has been called "carotid steal".