Introducing OpenAnesthesia Summaries
Check out our new summaries which are mini-reviews
on high-yield topics in anesthesiology, critical care,
and perioperative medicine.
New Podcast Episode:
Global Health Equity
Ask the Expert
Dr. Elizabeth Drum and Open Anesthesia Editor Dr. Sam Percy discuss Dr. Drum's journey toward a career committed to global health and health equity and the work of the ASA Committee on Global Health.
Meet Our New Editorial Board
Get to know our team of content experts!
New Podcast Episode:
OA-SPA Ask the Expert
Dr. James Xie and OpenAnesthesia Editor Dr. Jina Sinskey discuss the Cures Act and transparency in medicine.
Question of the Day
A 24-year-old man with a history of T4 paraplegia is undergoing his first anesthetic for a urinary diversion due to a neurogenic bladder. As the surgeon makes the incision, his BP reaches 220/110 mmHg with a heart rate of 45 bpm. Which of the following is the MOST appropriate first step in treatment?
Question of the Day
Explanation
In a patient with a history of a spinal cord lesion higher than T7, marked hypertension and bradycardia is concerning for autonomic hyperreflexia. Normally, descending inhibitory impulses travel down the spinal cord to block reflex arcs to cutaneous, visceral, or proprioceptive stimuli. This arc is disrupted in spinal cord injury and can lead to autonomic instability, most notably severe hypertension followed by a sustained vagal response including bradycardia, vasodilation, and cutaneous flushing. Treatment is supportive, including stopping the inciting stimulus (ask surgeons to pause) and lowering the blood pressure to normal levels via vasodilators and assuring adequate levels of anesthesia.
OA Series Spotlight
Vodcast
44:42
OA-SOAP Fellows Webinar Series
Communication and Handoffs on Labor and Delivery: A Culture of Safety
