Anaesthesia in patients with liver disease.

Purpose Of Review: The purpose of this review is to summarize the most recent up to date research data and recommendations regarding anaesthetic management of patients with liver disease undergoing surgery. The incidence of chronic liver disease (CLD) continues to rise and perioperative mortality and morbidity remains unacceptably high in this group. Meticulous preoperative assessment and carefully planned anaesthetic management are vital in improving outcomes in patients with liver disease undergoing surgery.

Will transoesophageal echocardiography become a standard tool for anesthetists to assess haemodynamic status during non-cardiac surgeries? Case report and literature review.

A 53-year-old male, with no history of cardiovascular diseases, underwent elective extended right hemihepatectomy for large metastatic tumor. Approximately 2 hours after the start of procedure sudden onset of severe hypotension associated with profound desaturation and significant fall in end-tidal carbon dioxide pressure was noted. Transoesophageal echocardiography was performed and massive air embolism was confirmed.

Usability of ultrasound assessment of gastric content. Case reports.

The paper presents the use of ultrasound assessment of gastric content in anesthesiological practice. Factors influencing pulmonary aspiration of gastric content and the risk of a complication in the form of aspiration pneumonia are discussed. The examination was performed on two patients hospitalized in a state of emergency who required surgical intervention.

Perioperative bleeding in patients undergoing liver transplantation.

Liver transplantation (LT) remains one of the most challenging surgical procedures. For many years uncontrolled bleeding and catastrophic haemorrhages were one of the major causes of perioperative mortality and morbidity. During the past fifty years or so, significant progress in surgical techniques and perioperative management has led to a marked change in transfusion practice over time, where up to 79.

[Acute lupus pneumonitis--case report and literature review].

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune connective tissue disease that is characterized by its chronic course and the involvement of many organs and systems. The most common abnormality in the respiratory system of SLE patients is lupus pleuritis. Less common is parenchymal involvement, which may present as acute lupus pneumonitis (ALP) or chronic interstitial lung disease.

Statin therapy and mortality among patients hospitalized with heart failure and preserved left ventricular function--a preliminary report.

Background: A number of medications such as beta-blockers,ACE-inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers and aldosterone antagonists, improve survival in patients with heart failure (HF) and reduced ejection fraction. No therapy has been proved to be beneficial for patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (PLVEF).

Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the effect of statin therapy on all-cause mortality and cardiovascular rehospitalization rate in patients with HF and PLVEF during one-year follow-up.

[Effect of the optimal neurohormonal blockade on long-term survival in patients with chronic heart failure].

Background: In recent years large scale clinical trials have cleary shown that a number of pharmacological treatments can improve the outcomes of patients (pts) with chronic heart failure (CHF).

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of optimal neurohormal blockade in pts with chronic heart failure on survival during 12 month follow-up.

Methods: We analyzed data on 489 pts in NYHA II-IV class of HF, referred to our Dept.

The prognostic value of renal dysfunction in patients with chronic heart failure: 12-month follow-up.

Introduction: Renal function assessment is an important element of management and therapeutic decision-making in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF).

Aim: To evaluate the prognostic value of renal dysfunction in patients with CHF in 12-month follow-up.

Methods: 639 consecutive patients hospitalised in our department from 1 July 2002 to 31 December 2003 with diagnosis of CHF (NYHA II-IV), based on medical records, were initially enrolled in the study.