Limitations of Current Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Configuration in Detecting Focal Cerebral Ischemia During Cardiac Surgery: An Observational Case-Series Study.

Cerebral oximetry using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) allows for continuous monitoring of cerebral perfusion and immediate treatment of hemodynamic perturbations. In configurations used in current clinical practice, NIRS optodes are placed on the patient`s forehead and cerebral oxygen saturation (ScO ) is determined in bilateral frontal cortical samples. However, focal cerebral ischemic lesions outside of the NIRS field of view may remain undetected.

Anaesthetic induction with etomidate in cardiac surgery: A randomised controlled trial.

Background: Etomidate is perceived as preserving haemodynamic stability during induction of anaesthesia. It is also associated with adrenocortical dysfunction. The risk/benefit relationship is controversial.

Emergency skill training--a randomized controlled study on the effectiveness of the 4-stage approach compared to traditional clinical teaching.

Introduction: The "4-stage approach" has been widely accepted for practical skill training replacing the traditional 2 stages ("see one, do one"). However, the superior effectiveness of the 4-stage approach was never proved.

Objectives: To evaluate whether skill training with the 4-stage approach results in shorter performance time needed for a successful percutaneous needle-puncture cricothyroidotomy, and consequently in a reduced number of attempts needed to perform the skill in <60s compared to traditional teaching.