Evaluating the utility of fasting lipid panel in addition to random lipid panel in determining lipid-lowering therapy in acute ischemic stroke or TIA patients.

Background: Hyperlipidemia is one of the major risk factors for cerebrovascular disease and it is common practice to obtain fasting lipid profile prior to starting lipid lowering therapy (LLT). Recent AHA Guidelines published in 2018 allow for a non-fasting value to be used.

Objective: To determine if obtaining fasting lipid levels in addition to random lipid levels prompts changes in hyperlipidemia management of acute stroke patients.

Transcutaneous CO versus end-tidal CO in neonates and infants undergoing surgery: a prospective study.

End-tidal CO (Et) is the standard in operative care along with pulse oximetry for ventilation assessment. It is known to be less accurate in the infant population than in adults. Many neonatal intensive care units (NICU) have converted to utilizing transcutaneous CO (tcP) monitoring.

An exploratory study of the relationship between postoperative nausea and vomiting and postdischarge nausea and vomiting in children undergoing ambulatory surgery.

Background: The factors contributing to postoperative nausea and vomiting in children have been identified, but there have been no reported studies that have studied pediatric postdischarge nausea and vomiting.

Aims: This preliminary study aimed to identify  the factors affecting postdischarge nausea and vomiting in ambulatory children, specifically whether postoperative nausea and vomiting factors are contributory.

Methods: One hundred and twenty-two pediatric patients aged 5-10 years undergoing elective ambulatory surgery participated in this institution-approved study.

Preoperative Screening for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Outcomes in PACU.

Purpose: Practice guidelines from the perianesthesia community suggest that preoperative identification of patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and standardized longer observation in postanesthesia care unit (PACU) promotes safety after general anesthesia. The purpose of this study was to determine if longer monitoring of patients with OSA in the PACU improves patient outcomes after general anesthesia.

Design: Evidence-based best practices literature review.

Intrathecal morphine administration reduces postoperative pain and peripheral endocannabinoid levels in total knee arthroplasty patients: a randomized clinical trial.

Background: The primary goal of this study was to determine whether administration of intrathecal morphine reduces postoperative pain. The secondary goal was to determine the effect of intrathecal morphine upon circulating levels of the weakly analgesic endocannabinoids, anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), and the related lipids palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) and oleoylethanolamide (OEA).

Methods: Forty two total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients were enrolled in a prospective, double-blinded, randomized study.