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The principle of respect for persons—autonomy—dominates most conversations regarding ethical medical practice, and informed consent is the central tenet of most of these discussions.[1][1],[2][2] Along with the concept of informed consent as the expression of respect for persons comes the

We present a case of a pediatric patient who developed recurarization after a cardiac catheterization procedure. Intraoperative neuromuscular blockade was achieved with 2 doses of rocuronium, and the blockade was reversed with a bolus dose of sugammadex at the end of the procedure. While recovering in the pediatric cardiac intensive care unit, the patient developed respiratory failure and a decline in the train-of-four response. The patient fully recovered after receiving a second dose of sugammadex.

Background: Prekallikrein deficiency is an extremely rare disorder in which functional prekallikrein in the plasma is reduced or absent. Case Report: We present the case of a 15-year-old male with prolonged activated clotting time incidentally noted preoperatively prior to repair of an atrial septal defect. The patient was subsequently found to have prekallikrein (Fletcher factor) deficiency. He successfully underwent open cardiac surgical repair after fresh frozen plasma was administered at a dose of 15 mL/kg 1 hour prior to the start of the procedure. Conclusion: History and routine preoperative evaluations of complete blood count, partial thromboplastin time, prothrombin time, and platelet function analysis failed to detect any abnormalities, but a prolongation of activated clotting time identified by the anesthesiologist led to specialized testing and a diagnosis of Fletcher factor deficiency. The patient tolerated the open-heart surgery well without any significant hematologic intervention or complications.

While earlier clinical investigations focused on characterizing the physiologic effects of dexmedetomidine and its role as a sedative drug in critically-ill patients, newer studies suggest that the alpha 2 adrenergic receptor agonist may have a role as an adjunct in intraoperative neuroanesthesia. Dexmedetomidine has been shown to have multiple favorable clinical effects such as lack of respiratory depression, neuroprotection, hemodynamic stability, and no apparent interference with intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring. This suggests that dexmedetomidine can be useful in the management of neurosurgical patients.

The selective α-2 adrenoceptor agonist, dexmedetomidine, has been shown to be a useful, safe adjunct in perioperative medicine. Intravenous regional anesthesia is one of the simplest forms of regional anesthesia and has a high degree of success. However, intravenous regional anesthesia is limited by the development of tourniquet pain and its inability to provide postoperative analgesia. To improve block quality, prolong postdeflation analgesia, and decrease tourniquet pain, various chemical additives have been combined with local anesthetics, although with limited success. The antinociceptive effects of α-2 adrenoceptor agonists have been shown in animals and in humans. However, less is known about the clinical effects of dexmedetomidine when coadministered with local anesthetics in patients undergoing intravenous regional anesthesia. This review examines what is currently known to improve our understanding of the properties and application of dexmedetomidine when used as an adjunct in intravenous regional anesthesia.

Purpose of review The present review serves as an overview update in the diverse uses of the sedative dexmedetomidine. Recent findings Dexmedetomidine is a selective alpha2 adrenoreceptor agonist that has been described as a useful, safe adjunct in many clinical applications. This paper reviews current clinical uses, mechanism of action, and side effects of dexmedetomidine. The current uses reviewed include sedation in the ICU (adult and pediatric), neurosurgery, pediatric procedural sedation, awake fiber-optic intubation, cardiac surgery, and bariatric surgery. Summary Dexmedetomidine is a useful medication with many clinical applications. The medication has shown efficacy in decreasing the need for opioids, benzodiazepines, propofol, and other sedative medications. Short-term sedation has been shown to be safe in studies, although hypotension and bradycardia are the most significant side effects. Dexmedetomidine has been used effectively for sedation during pediatric procedures and in the ICU. In order to reduce sympathetic tone during cardiac surgery, a low-dose dexmedetomidine infusion has been utilized. The bariatric surgery population has also been studied with dexmedetomidine because of its adequate sedation and less prevalent respiratory depression when compared with opioid administration. Dexmedetomidine is emerging as an effective therapeutic agent in the management of a wide range of clinical conditions with an efficacious, safe profile.

Facemask ventilation has been associated with the development of postoperative nausea and vomiting, increasing the risk of tracheal aspiration; development of gastric distension that further impairs alveolar ventilation; perforation of gastric and duodenal ulcers; development of pneumothorax; extrabronchial air dissection; and development of cardiac dysrhythmias, including bradycardia from indirect vagal nerve stimulation. An unusual complication that occurred during prolonged facemask ventilation is presented: development of a pseudo-obstruction of the intrathoracic airway due to the presence of entrained esophageal air.