Category: Yale Anesthesiology

This collection features interviews with anesthesiologists and other experts in which we discuss topics ranging from basic anesthesia to subspecialty-related topics.

Ep. 8. The role of ultrasound for neuaxial guidance and gastric ultrasound

Ep. 8. The role of ultrasound for neuaxial guidance and gastric ultrasound

In this interview, I discuss with Dr. Perlas, the Director of the Anesthesia POCUS fellowship at the University of Toronto, the role of ultrasound for spine sonoanatomy and the future of gastric ultrasound. Dr. Perlas describes the patient population that benefits the most when using ultrasound for neuraxial analgesia and advises that we should practice this technique with patients with normal anatomy. Besides, she goes over several clinical scenarios where gastric ultrasound may benefit.

Here are the links to the papers discussed during our Podcast.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25493689/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29230709/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27669557/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35103759/

PPH – Part 2 The role of Viscoelastic hemostatic assays for PPH management

PPH – Part 2 The role of Viscoelastic hemostatic assays for PPH management

n a previous interview (PPH part 1) with Dr. Michaela Farber, we discussed the importance of fibrinogen concentrate. During this interview, Dr. Collis and Dr. Bell help us understand the importance of early recognition of hypofibrinogenemia and replacement of this important coagulation factor. Our guests have over a decade of experience using viscoelastic hemostatic assays (VHA) and implementing algorithms to help guide early recognition and prompt fibrinogen replacement.
Here are the links to the papers discussed during the interview-
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30322667/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25024304/ – OBS1
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28969312/ – OBS2
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25586727/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22805300/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26683982/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25064078/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17087729/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36696216/

Postpartum Hemorrhage – Part 1 The Importance of Fibrinogen

Postpartum Hemorrhage – Part 1 The Importance of Fibrinogen

Postpartum hemorrhage remains an important and preventable cause of maternal mortality worldwide. In this interview, Dr. Michaela Farber provides us with a phenomenal timeline from the landmark study that highlighted the importance of fibrinogen as an early plasma biomarker to predict severe postpartum hemorrhage to the current evidence for the use of fibrinogen concentrate and tranexamic acid.
Here are the links to the papers discussed during our Podcast
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32282388/
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17087729/
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4166889/

The Current Role of General Anesthesia for Cesarean Delivery

The Current Role of General Anesthesia for Cesarean Delivery

We have tremendously increased the safety and efficacy of our Neuraxial blocks. The consequences of our success have resulted in a limited number of general anesthesia cases for trainees during their obstetric anesthesia rotation. In this episode, I discuss with Dr. Delgado, author of the review article The Current Role of General Anesthesia for Cesarean delivery, what can be done to improve our ability to be prepared when general anesthesia (GA) is needed. We discussed various topics ranging from predicting patients at risk for GA, to using a rapid sequence spinal technique to avoid GA, and the need for high-fidelity simulations to maintain our skills when general anesthesia is needed.

Here are the links to the papers discussed during our Podcast
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40140-021-00437-6
https://pubs.asahq.org/anesthesiology/article/136/5/697/135639/Frequency-and-Risk-Factors-for-Difficult
https://associationofanaesthetists-publications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/anae.14296
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30789362/
https://pubs.asahq.org/anesthesiology/article/106/6/1096/8207/A-Series-of-Anesthesia-related-Maternal-Deaths-in

Intraoperative pain

Intraoperative pain

In this episode, I had the pleasure of discussing intraoperative pain with Susanna Stanford. Susanna is a patient who experienced intraoperative pain, and knowing she was not alone, she has actively raised awareness of this issue. In her own words, “Being able to feel major abdominal surgery is every bit as horrific as it sounds.” Her recommendations and those proposed by Plaat and colleagues (a paper she co-authored) in their article titled Prevention and management of intraoperative pain during caesarean section under neuraxial anaesthesia: a technical and interpersonal approach should be acknowledged by every anesthesiologist who attends to the obstetric patient. Here are the links to the articles mentioned during the podcast.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27717633/
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9311138/
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35325933/
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35332526/
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35064923/

Racial Disparities in Healthcare

Racial Disparities in Healthcare

Unfortunately, the United States has the highest maternal mortality rate among developed nations, and the COVID pandemic brought to the limelight the impact of racial and ethnic disparities in health outcomes. According to the CDC, systemic racism is a public health threat. In this interview, I discuss with Dr. Lee, author of the article Causes of health inequities, how racism, not race, is related to worst maternal health outcomes.

Here are the links to the articles/historical events mentioned during our podcast:
https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/maternal-mortality;
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
https://www.nejm.org;
https://cup.columbia.edu/book/racism-not-race/;
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
https://blackmaternalhealthcaucus-underwood.house.gov/Momnibus;
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33237843/;
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35830955/
https://www.cdc.gov/tuskegee/tuskegee-remembrance/index.html
https://www.history.com/news/the-father-of-modern-gynecology-performed-shocking-experiments-on-slaves

Maternal Mortality

Maternal Mortality

In this episode, we discuss the leading causes of maternal mortality in the US and our state of CT. We discuss available resources at the national (https://saferbirth.org/patient-safety-bundles/) and local level (https://www.accessmhct.com) to help us flatten the curve of the rising maternal mortality in the US. Here you can find the links to the articles mentioned during this recording. https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/maternal-mortality/erase-mm/data-mmrc.html
https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/DPH/Maternal-Mortality/CT-MMR-Evaluation-Report-2015-2017-FINAL-PRINT.pdf
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26996986/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0304395908003990
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28930940/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33079866/
https://www.mcpapformoms.org

Cardio-Obstetric

Cardio-Obstetric

In this episode, I had the pleasure of discussing the evolving disciple of cardio-obstetrics and the planning delivery framework for the Pregnant patient with cardiovascular disease with Dr. Marie-Louis Meng. Dr. Meng has authored many publications on anesthetic care for pregnant patients with cardiovascular disease. During this interview, she offers her knowledge from the perspective of a dual fellowship-trained anesthesiologist (Cardiac and Obstetric anesthesia). Besides, we discuss the physiologic changes of pregnancy, maternal levels of care, and the future of critical care or cardiac plus obstetric anesthesia dual fellowships. Here are the links to the most relevant publications of Dr. Meng related to this topic: Link 1 and Link 2