Editor's Note Preoperative use of GLP-1 receptor agonists (RA) medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy is safe, according to a study published in the June issue of the American Journal of Gastroenterology. Controversy has swirled around these drugs due to the risk of slowed stomach emptying increasing a patient’s odds…

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Editor's Note The term "perioperative neurocognitive disorder" has been adopted to describe cognitive impairments identified during the perioperative period, the American College of Surgeons (ACS) May 8 reports. Postoperative delirium, in particular, is an acute complication manifesting as confusion and fluctuating levels of consciousness and attention. The incidence of this…

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Editor's Note Gastrointestinal endoscopy could increase the risk of aspirational pneumonia in patients using GLP-1 receptor agonists (RAs) to manage weight or treat diabetes, according to an April 1 report from MedPage today. Citing research published in the journal Gastroenterology by a team led by Kevin Sheng-Kai Ma, DDS, of…

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Editor's Note A March 11 article on SeniorLiving.org broke down key considerations and risks for elderly patients undergoing surgery and anesthesia. One such consideration is studies show that older adults often prioritize quality of life over the extension of life if it means sacrificing independence or functional abilities. Other lessons…

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Editor's Note The current method for identifying heart transplant candidates with the most urgent need might not be the best one. In a study published February 13 in Jama Network, a candidate risk score incorporating the latest clinical, laboratory, and hemodynamic data out-performed the current treatment-based categorical allocation system.  …

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Editor's Note: A recent study suggests artificial intelligence (AI) can be valuable for identifying patients who consumed risky amounts of of alcohol prior to surgery. Findings appeared in the journal Alcohol, Clinical and Experimental Research on January 8. For the study, researchers extracted 3 years of text-based clinical records from…

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Editor's Note Active daily habits–specifically getting more than 7,500 steps a day before a surgical procedure–cuts the odds of complications within 90 days after discharge in half, regardless of the complication of a patient’s operation, MedicalXpress October 20 reports. The findings were presented at the American College of Surgeons Clinical…

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Editor's Note This study by researchers at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, examines preoperative risk factors, operative variables, and postoperative complications associated with 30-day mortality after outpatient surgery. A total of 2,822,789 patients in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database were included…

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