Hyperventilation and Respiratory Alkalosis After Olanzapine for Insomnia: A Case Report.

Olanzapine is increasingly used as a sleep aid in hospitalized patients. Although thought to have less extrapyramidal effects, known side effects include oversedation, arrythmias, and hypotension. We present the unusual case of hyperventilation with respiratory alkalosis after the administration of olanzapine for insomnia in an elderly postoperative patient.

Severe Abdominal Wall Infection After Subcostal Transversus Abdominis Plane Block: A Case Report.

Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) blocks are increasingly used for perioperative analgesia in patients undergoing abdominal surgeries. TAP blocks are easy to perform, reliably effective, and have an excellent safety profile. Nevertheless, we report a patient who underwent an open cholecystectomy and right hemicolectomy where a subcostal TAP block possibly contributed to an unusual abdominal wall abscess that lead to a prolonged and complicated postoperative course.

Transesophageal echocardiographic evaluation of diastolic function.

Diastolic dysfunction is increasingly recognized as a cause of hemodynamic instability in the perioperative setting. Difficulty weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass and an increased need for inotropic support can occur in the absence of systolic impairment. Diastolic dysfunction can also impede hemodynamic stabilization and weaning progress in the mechanically ventilated critically ill patient.