Anesthesiology and Intensive Care

A high neuraxial block is a sensorimotor block that has reached a spinal segmental level higher than that required to achieve surgical anaesthesia. The terms high, total or complete block are used interchangeably. A sensory level of T3 or above can be associated with significant cardiovascular and respiratory compromise and can hence be considered a high block. Involvement of the cranial nerves signifies intracranial spread of local anaesthetic which can culminate in complete loss of consciousness and cardiorespiratory arrest.

O bstetric patients are at increased risk of failed intubation due to a number of unique clinical, environmental and human factors. Despite widely publicised ‘failed intubation drills’ and advances in airway equipment and techniques, the incidence of failed obstetric tracheal intubation has not changed for more than 40 years, and remains higher than in the non-obstetric population. A recent literature review found an incidence of failed tracheal intubation of 2.6 per 1000 obstetric general anaesthetics (1 in 390) and associated maternal mortality of 2.3 per 100 000 general anaesthetics (one death for every ninety failed intubations). Given the difficulties in accurately predicting difficult intubation, and the unchanged rate of failed obstetric tracheal intubation, there has been a shift in focus away from efforts to primarily reduce rates of failed intubation towards a greater appreciation of measures to maintain oxygenation and to control associated human factors that may i...

Drugs known to cause congenital malformations:

         Maternal hypocapnia , conversely, may be associated with fetal hypoxia and acidosis .

Spinal Opioid Dosages for Labor and Delivery: A Guide for Anesthesiologists Keywords: spinal opioid dosages, labor and delivery analgesia, epidural vs spinal anesthesia, intrathecal opioids, pain management in labor Pain management during labor and delivery is a cornerstone of obstetric anesthesiology. Among the most effective techniques is the use of spinal opioid dosages , often administered via intrathecal injection as part of a combined spinal-epidural (CSE) or standalone spinal anesthesia. These methods provide rapid, targeted pain relief with minimal systemic side effects. In 2025, advancements in dosing protocols and opioid selection have refined their use, making them a go-to choice for labor analgesia. This article explores the latest recommendations for spinal opioid dosages in labor and delivery , their benefits, risks, and practical tips for anesthesiologists aiming to optimize maternal outcomes.

Anesthetic Care for Cesarean Delivery keywords:anesthesia, cesarean delivery, obstetric anesthesia, pain management, epidural, spinal anesthesia, maternal safety, perioperative care, anesthetic techniques, childbirth This article is based on  "Practice Guidelines for Obstetric Anesthesia. An Updated Report by the American Society of Anesthesiologists Task Force on Obstetric Anesthesia and the Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology". The decision to use a particular anesthetic technique for cesarean delivery should be individualized, based on anesthetic, obstetric, or fetal risk factors (e.g., elective vs. emergency), the preferences of the patient, and the judgment of the anesthesiologist. Uterine displacement  (usually left displacement) should be maintained until delivery regardless of the anesthetic technique used. ( effective approach to managing hypotension as it helps in directly relieving the aortocaval compression ) Con...