LAC+USC Medical Center

About: LAC+USC Medical Center is a healthcare organization based out in Los Angeles, California, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Poison control. The organization has 1348 authors who have published 886 publications receiving 21927 citations. The organization is also known as: County/USC & Los Angeles County General.

The Use of Dobutamine to Enhance Cardiac Performance and Improve Outcome in Patients Refractory to Hypervolemic Therapy for Cerebral Vasospasm: a Preliminary Study

Abstract: We have previously concluded that CVP was an unreliable index of cardiac performance during hypervolemic therapy and that in previously healthy individuals a PAWP of 14 mm Hg was associated with maximal cardiac performance1. We describe the use of the Beta-agonist, Dobutamine, in combination with hypervolemic preload enhancement on cardiac performance in a preliminary report of 10 patients who failed to respond to traditional preload enhancement following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. All patients had the placement of a flow directed balloon-tipped catheter and measurement of pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP), central venous pressure (CVP), cardiac index (CI), stroke volume index (SVI), total peripheral resistance (TPR), and left ventricular stroke work index (LVSWI) during hyperdynamic therapy. Dobutamine was administered at a rate of 5 to 10 ug/kg/h for a period of up to ten days.

Potential Cost Savings of Off-Site Regional Anesthesia for Minor Orthopedic Surgical Procedures

Abstract: This study is limited by the fact that each hospital has different costs for staffing as well as ambiguous billing patterns that make it difficult to correctly appreciate the value of perioperative staffing and costs for the hospital, insurance company, and the patient. Additional costs, as noted above, that were not included in this study would be also added to the potential cost savings. Therefore, our results may in fact appreciate the true difference in costs between the operating room and treatment room anesthesia. As anesthesia providers, we are involved in the perioperative care of surgical patients. We must continuously improve our perioperative care to enhance patient safety while increasing efficiency and decreasing costs. Using regional anesthesia to minimize main operating room times may be an acceptable approach to achieving cost saving measures, as well as reducing unnecessary staffing and main operating resources.

CT visualization of posterior vertebral veins: A sign of vena caval obstruction

Abstract: In computerized tomography of the chest and abdomen in children, visualization of veins in the paravertebral musculature is indicative of superior inferior vena caval obstruction. This collateral circulation, while not a constant feature of vena caval obstruction, is not seen in normal children.