Background

Mild hypothermia is neuroprotective after cerebral ischemia but surgery involving profound hypothermia (PH, temperature less than 18°C) is associated with neurologic complications. Rewarming (RW) from PH injures hippocampal neurons by glutamate excitotoxicity, N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors, and intracellular calcium. Because neurons are protected from hypoxia-ischemia by anesthetic agents that inhibit N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptors, we tested whether anesthetics protect neurons from damage caused by PH/RW.

Methods

Organotypic cultures of rat hippocampus were used to model PH/RW injury, with hypothermia at 4°C followed by RW to 37°C and assessment of cell death 1 or 24 h later. Cell death and intracellular Ca were assessed with fluorescent dye imaging and histology. Anesthetic agents were present in the culture media during PH and RW or only RW.

Results

Injury to hippocampal CA1, CA3, and dentate neurons after PH and RW involved cell swelling, cell rupture, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) loss; this injury was similar for 4 through 10 h of PH. Isoflurane (1% and 2%), sevoflurane (3%) and xenon (60%) reduced cell loss but propofol (3 μM) and pentobarbital (100 μM) did not. Isoflurane protection involved reduction in N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-mediated Ca influx during RW but did not involve γ-amino butyric acid receptors or KATP channels. However, cell death increased over the next day.

Conclusion

Anesthetic protection of neurons rewarmed from 4°C involves suppression of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-mediated Ca overload in neurons undergoing ATP loss and excitotoxicity. Unlike during hypoxia/ischemia, anesthetic agents acting predominantly on γ-aminobutyric acid receptors do not protect against PH/RW. The durability of anesthetic protection against cold injury may be limited.

Discharge against medical advice (DAMA) can have detrimental effects on patient outcomes. Recently, the diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been linked with DAMA in the mental health setting. However, PTSD as a risk factor for DAMA in surgical patients has not received much consideration, although such patients may be at risk for triggering or amplification of PTSD symptoms perioperatively. We present the first case report series of three surgical patients with PTSD who left the hospital AMA. These cases differ markedly from DAMA in non-PTSD patients. In all three subjects, the stress of feeling misunderstood by clinicians and the distress of public detainment by hospital security in the setting of chronic PTSD led to aggressive and risky behavior. All three subjects represented a risk to themselves and to others at the time of DAMA. Finally, all three subjects were difficult to contact for follow-up or medical care and missed appointments.

Background

No studies have examined how journal clubs (JCs) are implemented in anesthesiology residency training programs. The goal of the study was to close this gap by (1) examining the format, content, and goals of JCs; (2) identifying features associated with higher resident attendance and JC success; and (3) examining program directors' perspectives on JCs.

Methods

A 41-question survey was sent to anesthesiology program directors. Answers were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression, multivariable linear regression, and exploratory factor analysis.

Results

Out of 117 surveys sent across the United States, 80 program directors responded (68.4% response rate). Of the 80 programs, 77 (96.3%) programs have a JC, with 93.2% of them existing for more than 2 years. Most JCs (62.5%) neither formally appraised articles before meetings, nor formally evaluated their JC (59.7%). Faculty alone organized 44.4% and moderated 69.9% of the JCs. The role of residents was primarily limited to presenting selected articles with faculty guidance (83.3%). The average resident attendance was 49.7%. A multivariable linear regression analysis identified mandatory resident attendance, faculty turnout of >5 members, and longer intervals between JC meetings as features associated with higher resident attendance. Only 49.3% of JCs were successful as defined a priori by resident attendance >50% and longevity of ≥2 years. Features associated with JC success based on multivariable logistic regression included mandatory resident attendance and complimentary food.

Conclusions

This largest survey of JCs in anesthesiology found that while JCs are widely established, half of them could be improved.