Select Page
IARS News Archive

The IARS is committed to advancing the field of anesthesiology through a number of research and educational initiatives that benefit not only practicing anesthesiologists but also patients of all ages. We strive to provide you with the latest news through several education newsletters as well as the important updates on this page.

To search by keyword, select Ctrl + F on a PC and Command + F on a Mac. Then, enter keyword and Enter.

Archived News

Metaverse and Anesthesia

A&A Latest IssueFEBRUARY 29, 2024

The current rate of technological innovation has never been experienced before in human history. Concepts of art, work, communication, business, and entertainment are inevitably being transformed, shaped by emerging technologies. Technological evolution is breaking down many barriers, even to the point of changing the way we perceive and experience reality. It has become possible to “go beyond the universe” or, to use the correct term, to enter the metaverse. Considered an advanced form of internet, the metaverse is actually a digital parallel world where any activity can take place, including those normally considered real. Although it is still in its infancy, the promises of metaverse are limitless. As anesthesiologists, we have no choice but to get involved and understand the potential of this new subject, both for the optimization of perioperative care and for its influence on our training and health systems planning.

Low Perfusion and Missed Diagnosis of Hypoxemia by Pulse Oximetry in Darkly Pigmented Skin: A Prospective Study

Early Goal-Directed Hemostatic Therapy for Severe Acute Bleeding Management in the Intensive Care Unit: A Narrative Review

 

March 2024 A&A Video Summary: Featured Articles

FEBRUARY 29, 2024

View this video summary covering three featured articles from the March 2024 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

 

 

Advance Your Career and the Specialty!
Now Accepting Applications for 2024 IARS Mentored Research Awards!

FEBRUARY 29, 2024

Submission Deadline: April 30, 2024

Applications are now being accepted for the 2024 IARS Mentored Research Awards (IMRA) through April 30, 2024! For more than 100 years, the core mission of the International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS) has been to encourage, stimulate, and support anesthesia-related research projects that will improve patient care and advance the specialty. IARS established its Mentored Research Awards to help create future leaders and prepare applicants to obtain independent research funding. Up to four research projects will be selected in 2024, each with a maximum award of $175,000 payable over two years. IMRA applications may be in any area of investigation (clinical, translational, basic science), but must have ultimate relevance to the broad practice of anesthesiology and its subspecialties.

To learn more and view past successful IMRA research endeavors, visit iars.org/awards/IMRA.

 

Connect with IARS at the 18th World Congress of Anaesthesiologists, March 3-7, 2024, in Singapore!

FEBRUARY 29, 2024

The International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS) will be joining more than 40 international organizations exhibiting in the Global Anesthesia Village at the 18th World Congress of Anaesthesiologists, March 3-7, 2024, in Singapore. This area of the exhibit hall is designed to demonstrate the unity of anesthesia and anesthesia-related organizations around the world, and includes an exciting mix of WFSA Regional Sections, Member Societies, and other organizations promoting safe anesthesia and surgery. If you are attending this conference, we hope you will stop by the IARS booth to share your ideas and let us know how we may better serve your needs. We will be raffling off one free year of membership to IARS as well as a free registration to attend the 2024 Annual Meeting, presented by IARS and SOCCA, May 17-19, in Seattle, WA. We look forward to seeing you then!

IARS Exhibit Hours:

Monday, March 4
9:30 am – 8:00 pm
Wednesday, March 6
9:30 am – 5:00 pm
Tuesday, March 5
9:30 am – 5:00 pm
Learn more.

 

IARS Board Vice Chair Dr. Y.S. Prakash Named Vice Dean of Research at Mayo Clinic

FEBRUARY 29, 2024

IARS Emeritus Trustee Dr. Prakash

IARS Vice Chair Y.S. Prakash, MD, PhD

IARS Board Vice Chair Y.S. Prakash, MD, PhD, has been appointed as the Vice Dean of Research at Mayo Clinic, extending his roles as Associate Dean of Research, Midwest and Professor of Anesthesiology and Physiology and Chair of the Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering and his service to the research community. This new appointment reflects the increased focus on several administrative initiatives across the research spectrum at Mayo.

“Under his leadership of Research in the Midwest, Dr. Prakash has successfully led strategic and operational activities,” Dr. Vijay Shah, Kinney Executive Dean of Research, said. “Many have had the benefit of his guidance and expertise.”

Dr. Prakash’s dedication to the research community is vast and career-spanning. He was one of the only medical students to receive and maintain a major NIH Research Project Grant (R01) during medical school. Since completing anesthesiology residency at Mayo, Dr. Prakash has continually maintained NIH R01 funding.

In addition to his extensive service to IARS as Board Vice Chair, Chair of the Research & Education Awards Committee, Vice Chair of the Membership Committee and Journal Liaison to Anesthesia & Analgesia, Dr. Prakash is involved with several professional societies in anesthesiology, physiology and pulmonary medicine, including the Association of University Anesthesiologists, American Society of Anesthesiologists, American Physiological Society and American Thoracic Society. He served as the Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board for AUA from 2016-2018, and as Chair of the ASA Committee on Research. He was Deputy Editor for the American Journal of Physiology: Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology, from 2012-2015. He has served on multiple NIH and foundation grant review panels. From 2015-2020, he served as a standing member and then Chair for the NIH Lung Cellular Molecular Immunology (LCMI) study section.

Read More

 

IMRA Insights banner

2013 IARS Mentored Research Award Recipient Interview: Sinziana Avramescu, MD, PhD, FRCPC
Study: Do Anesthetics Exacerbate Memory Deficits Following Traumatic Brain Injury?

FEBRUARY 29, 2024

Sinziana Avramescu, MD, PhD, FRCPC
Anesthesiologist,
Executive Director, Department of Anesthesia, and
Secretary of the Medical Staff Association,
Humber River Hospital
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

 

At the age of 17, Sinziana Avramescu, MD, PhD, FRCPC, was involved in a car crash as a pedestrian and was sent unconscious to the ICU. While recovering from a traumatic brain injury, she became fascinated that all the tests said her brain was normal but she was not yet functioning at her previous capacity. This was the moment she decided to become a “brain scientist” to unravel this disconnect and help others experiencing traumatic brain injury. She did just that, dedicating her medical career to studying perioperative brain health. This passion and perseverance eventually led her to be recognized with the IARS Mentored Research Award in 2013 for her research addressing the question, “Do Anesthetics Exacerbate Memory Deficits Following Traumatic Brain Injury?” A senior resident in the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine at the University of Toronto at the time, Dr. Avramescu’s overarching goal of this research program was to gain a better understanding of the debilitating consequences of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and to develop an informed pharmacological strategy to prevent post-traumatic memory deficits. The findings from this research provided the first proof-of-concept evidence that α5GABAARs are novel targets for pharmacologic treatment of persistent cognitive deficits induced by traumatic brain injury.

This motivated Dr. Avramescu and her mentor, Dr. Beverley Orser and collaborator and colleague, Dr. Stephen Choi, to co-found the Perioperative Brain Health Centre at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, the first of its kind to focus on bringing together patients, healthcare professionals and researchers to design and implement novel diagnostic and treatment strategies for perioperative brain dysfunction.

In 2018, Dr. Avramescu moved to a community anesthesia practice at Humber River Hospital in Toronto, where she serves as the Executive Director in the Department of Anesthesia. She continues to be resolutely dedicated to furthering the knowledge around perioperative brain health, establishing the first perioperative research unit at Humber River Hospital. The unit and her hospital now partner with several academic centers across Canada, and serve as a research site for multi-center clinical trials. In her interview, Dr. Avramescu shares her research journey, her continued efforts to discover breakthroughs in the treatment of traumatic brain injury and how the IMRA helped her to be successful as a researcher, clinician and educator.

Read More

 

Register by March 11 for the Best Rates! 2024 Annual Meeting in Seattle, WA – May 17-19!

FEBRUARY 29, 2024

Join us for the 2024 Annual Meeting, presented by IARS and SOCCA in Seattle, to connect with colleagues and share fantastic educational content, scientific exchanges, and networking opportunities. We look forward to welcoming you in-person at the Hyatt Regency Seattle Hotel. Register now to take advantage of the lowest early-registration rates! Rates increase on March 12, 2024.

For those unable to join in person, on demand session recordings will be available for purchase following the live meeting. In-person registration rates include this offer as well.

View the full program!

Upcoming Deadlines

Attendee Housing Block: Discounted rates available until April 19, 2024
Early-Registration Rates: Available through March 11, 2024

Learn more.

 

Upcoming Webinar: Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to Predict Intensive Care Unit Indices and Outcomes on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Register Today!

FEBRUARY 29, 2024

Artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) are gaining traction in medicine and have been used to perform some tasks as well or better than well-trained physicians. This forward-looking webinar will differentiate myth from fact regarding AI/ML as prediction and clinical indicator tools in the intensive care unit (ICU) and operative setting. Discover how AI/ML can be used to predict patients at risk of needing ICU admission after PACU discharge as well as how you might predict cerebral perfusion pressure for patients with, or at risk, of increased intracranial pressure. You will leave this webinar with practical implementation considerations for the use of AI/ML in the clinical setting.

Moderator: Andrew B. Barker, MD, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL

Presenters

Fact and Myth about Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning on the ICU and OR
Ryan L. Melvin, PhD, University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Birmingham, AL

Machine Learning Predicts Unplanned Care Escalations for Post-Anesthesia Care Unit Patients During the Perioperative Period
Andrew B. Barker, MD, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL

AI/ML to Predict Cerebral Autoregulation Using a Transcranial Doppler Robot and Big Data
Emily Wasson, MD, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL

Practical Implementation Considerations for AI/ML in the Perioperative Setting
Matthew Zapf, MD, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN

View the 2024 webinar schedule.

 

View Recordings from Previous Webinars

FEBRUARY 29, 2024

Missed a previous webinar? IARS full members can access a valuable library of recordings from previous webinars from 2021, 2022 and 2023. Plus, take advantage of opportunities to claim Enduring Material CME credits.

Learn more and access this valuable learning today!

 

Session Videos from the 2023 Annual Meeting Available

FEBRUARY 29, 2024

IARS full members can now access session recordings from 2023 Annual Meetings as well as a video library from the 2018-2022 meetings.

Additionally, full members may claim CME credit from the 2021, 2022 and 2023 Annual Meetings.

Access this forward-looking education today!

 

Discover Anesthesia Community Activities on the Events Calendar

FEBRUARY 29, 2024

View meetings and events from the IARS and the anesthesia community on the Anesthesia Community Events Calendar. If you have a meeting or event you would like to include on this calendar, email [email protected]. Please include the date, time, location and website URL for the meeting or event.

 

OpenAnesthesia and Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology Fellows Webinar Series

FEBRUARY 29, 2024

Sarah Nizamuddin, MD, presents “Iron Deficiency Anemia in Parturients: Implications, Disparities and Outcomes.”

 

OpenAnesthesia and Society for Pediatric Anesthesia Ask the Expert

FEBRUARY 29, 2024

OpenAnesthesia Section Editor Dr. Aditee Ambardekar and Dr. Concetta Lupa discuss pediatric anesthesiology fellowships.

More OA Education

 

FAER NAM Fellowship Applications are Open!

FEBRUARY 29, 2024

The Foundation for Anesthesia Education and Research (FAER) is accepting applications for the first ever FAER NAM Fellowship through April 30, 2024. This endowed National Academy of Medicine (NAM) anesthesiology fellowship offers the opportunity to experience and participate in evidence-based healthcare or public health studies that improve the care and access to care of patients in domestic and global health care systems. Visit FAER’s website for more information and to apply!

Learn more & apply!

Advance Your Career and the Specialty! Now Accepting Applications for 2024 IARS Mentored Research Awards!

FEBRUARY 12, 2024

Applications are now being accepted for the 2024 IARS Mentored Research Awards (IMRA) through April 30, 2024! For more than 100 years, the core mission of the International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS) has been to encourage, stimulate, and support anesthesia-related research projects that will improve patient care and advance the specialty. IARS established its Mentored Research Awards to help create future leaders and prepare applicants to obtain independent research funding. Up to four research projects will be selected in 2024, each with a maximum award of $175,000 payable over two years. IMRA applications may be in any area of investigation (clinical, translational, basic science), but must have ultimate relevance to the broad practice of anesthesiology and its subspecialties. To learn more and view past successful IMRA research endeavors, visit https://iars.org/iars-mentored-research-award/.

Anesthesia 2050: A Better Anesthesia?

A&A Latest IssueJANUARY 30, 2024

This issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia contemplates the evolution of our practice into the deep future of healthcare. Authors describe how informatics and healthcare data exchange, artificial intelligence, remote management and robotic technology will define our practice. The cover art uses abstract imagery such as streams of flowing color and splattered paint to reflect our inextricable relationship with technological progress and its attendant uncertainty, respectively. One might find poetry in the juxtaposition of a human hand attempting to manipulate a holographic laryngoscope, seemingly controlling the advance of the device remotely. As much as this is a direct forecast of what may come, it also serves as a cautionary pondering of the things that lie beyond our collective vision. No matter how much technology is integrated into our practice, humans are both the providers for and recipients of healthcare and represent the end points of this graceful arc.

Robotic Anesthesia: A Vision for 2050

Public Health Informatics and the Perioperative Physician: Looking to the Future

 

Upcoming A&A Themed Issue Webinar: Anesthesia 2050 on Monday, February 5, 2024, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm Eastern Time

JANUARY 30, 2024

Please join Anesthesia & Analgesia’s latest themed issue webinar highlighting selected articles from the February 2024 issue, posing the question: What will anesthesia look like in 2050?

Drs. Thomas M. Hemmerling, Francesca Rubulotta and Pascal Laferrière-Langlois will present on their articles published in this themed issue.

Register now!

 

February 2024 A&A Video Summary: Featured Articles

JANUARY 30, 2024

View this video summary covering three featured articles from the February 2024 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

 

 

Connect with IARS at the 18th World Congress of Anaesthesiologists, March 3-7, 2024, in Singapore!

JANUARY 30, 2024

The International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS) will be joining more than 40 international organizations exhibiting in the Global Anesthesia Village at the 18th World Congress of Anaesthesiologists, March 3-7, 2024, in Singapore. This area of the exhibit hall is designed to demonstrate the unity of anesthesia and anesthesia-related organizations around the world, and includes an exciting mix of WFSA Regional Sections, Member Societies, and other organizations promoting safe anesthesia and surgery. If you are attending this conference, we hope you will stop by the IARS booth to share your ideas and let us know how we may better serve your needs. We will be raffling off one free year of membership to IARS as well as a free registration to attend the 2024 Annual Meeting, presented by IARS and SOCCA, May 17-19, in Seattle, WA. We look forward to seeing you then!

The IARS exhibit will be staffed at the following times.

Monday, March 4
10:00 am – 10:30 am (Coffee Break)
12:50 pm – 1:50 pm (Lunch Break)
4:00 pm – 4:30 pm (Coffee Break)
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm (Welcome Reception)

Tuesday, March 5
9:30 am – 10:15 am (Coffee Break)
11:45 am – 12:45 pm (Lunch Break)
3:00 pm – 3:30 pm (Coffee Break)

Wednesday, March 6
10:30 am – 11:15 am (Coffee Break)
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm (Lunch Break)
3:45 pm – 4:15 pm (Coffee Break

IMRA Insights banner

2016 IARS Mentored Research Award Recipient Interview: Eric Vu, MD
Study: Predictive Analytic Tool for Diagnosis of Coronary Allograft Vasculopathy

JANUARY 30, 2024

Eric Vu, MD
Associate Professor of Anesthesiology (Pediatric Anesthesiology),
Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine;
Medical Director of Cardiac Anesthesia, and
Chair of the Transfusion Medicine Committee;
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital
Chicago, IL

 

In 2016, Eric Vu, MD, had just completed a pediatric cardiac anesthesia fellowship at Texas Children’s Hospital and was interested in pursuing an additional fellowship in pediatric anesthesia research at Baylor College of Medicine. Fortunately, he received an IARS Mentored Research Award that year for his research on “Predictive Analytic Tool for Diagnosis of Coronary Allograft Vasculopathy” that provided the support to make this opportunity possible. His initial IMRA-funded investigation set out to use signal processing of ECG signals to develop computational tools to predict cardiac arrest in single ventricle patients. These algorithms were expanded to pediatric patients after heart transplant, and eventually incorporated into a multivariate model for interstage patients undergoing testing as a multicenter study. Today, Dr. Vu’s work in this area has expanded and he and his team are now working on a real-time monitor of cerebral autoregulation for neonatal and pediatric cardiopulmonary bypass cases.

With the help of the IMRA, Dr. Vu was able to secure dedicated research time and pursue a Masters in Clinical Investigation to obtain additional skills in clinical design, biostatistics, and biomedical informatics, which helped him to advance in his career. Today, Dr. Vu is an Associate Professor of Anesthesiology (Pediatric Anesthesiology) at Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, and the Medical Director of Cardiac Anesthesia, and Chair of the Transfusion Medicine Committee at the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital. He remains resolute in his determination to discover more intelligent monitors that clinicians can use as tools to provide better care for their patients, translating to improved patient outcomes. In the following interview, Dr. Vu recalls his research journey, his work leveraging technology to provide better patient care and his hopes for the future of anesthesia research.

 

Register by March 11 for the Best Rates! 2024 Annual Meeting in Seattle, WA – May 17-19!

JANUARY 30, 2024

Join us for the 2024 Annual Meeting, presented by IARS and SOCCA in Seattle, to connect with colleagues and share fantastic educational content, scientific exchanges, and networking opportunities. We look forward to welcoming you in-person at the Hyatt Regency Seattle Hotel. Register now to take advantage of the lowest early-registration rates! Rates increase on March 12, 2024.

For those unable to join in person, on demand session recordings will be available for purchase following the live meeting. In-person registration rates include this offer as well.

Learn more.

 

Less Than 1 Month Left to Submit Late-Breaking Abstracts for the 2024 Annual Meeting!

JANUARY 30, 2024

Late-Breaking Abstract Submission Deadline: February 23, 2024​

Submit your late-breaking original research for the 2024 Annual Meeting, presented by IARS and SOCCA, in Seattle, WA! Don’t miss the opportunity to present your abstract with late-breaking data that was not known or fully available by the original submission deadline.

Late-breaking abstracts should present data that are high impact, groundbreaking, innovative, and of high scientific significance to the specialty. Medically challenging cases are not accepted for late-breaking submission.

Be sure to follow the submission guidelines. You’ll be notified of your status in March 2024.

Act now to share your late-breaking research!

 

Upcoming Webinar: What’s New in Pediatric Emergence Delirium? Updates in Detection, Prevention, and Treatment on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm

JANUARY 30, 2024

Discover the latest research in updates in postoperative emergence delirium (ED) from anesthesiologist researchers who have contributed to many recent findings on the topic. These experts will cover the gamut on this topic including the prevalence and definition of ED, prevention of ED using monochromic light therapy, EEG and other neuro-signatures of ED, and the association of adult and child behavioral interactions with ED. Gain a better understanding of these key risk factors, and develop strategies for prevention, treatment, and diagnosis of ED. With this increased knowledge, anesthesiologists will be able to improve the care of children with ED, and perhaps reduce it to an avoidable event in the near future.

Moderator: Ian Yuan, MD, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA

Presenters

Emergence Delirium: Definitions, Prevalence, and Long-Term Behavior Changes
Vinicius Quintao, MD, MSc, PhD, Hospital das Clinicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Pharmacologic and Non-Pharmacologic Strategies for the Prevention and Treatment of Emergence Delirium
Adam C. Adler, MD, MS, FAAP, FASE, Texas Children’s Hospital Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX

Electroencephalogram (EEG) Correlates of Emergence Delirium and Anesthesia
Jerry Y. Chao, MD, MSc, Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY

Register now!

Join a pre-discussion related to this webinar in IARS Online Member Community.

View the 2024 webinar schedule.

 

View Recordings from Previous Webinars

JANUARY 30, 2024

Missed a previous webinar? IARS full members can access a valuable library of recordings from previous webinars from 2021, 2022 and 2023. Plus, take advantage of opportunities to claim Enduring Material CME credits.

Learn more and access this valuable learning today!

 

Session Videos from the 2023 Annual Meeting Available

JANUARY 30, 2024

IARS full members can now access session recordings from 2023 Annual Meetings as well as a video library from the 2018-2022 meetings.

Additionally, full members may claim CME credit from the 2021, 2022 and 2023 Annual Meetings.

Access this forward-looking education today!

 

Discover Anesthesia Community Activities on the Events Calendar

JANUARY 30, 2024

View meetings and events from the IARS and the anesthesia community on the Anesthesia Community Events Calendar. If you have a meeting or event you would like to include on this calendar, email [email protected]. Please include the date, time, location and website URL for the meeting or event.

 

The Bibliometric Analysis of Most Cited 100 Papers in Anesthesia-Induced Neurotoxicity. Elvan Ocmen, Hale Aksu Erdost, & Volkan Hanci. December 2023.

JANUARY 30, 2024

For their cross-sectional study, the authors analyze 100 of the most-cited journal articles on anesthesia-induced neurotoxicity noting anesthetic agent, animal type, protective agents, and methods for detecting neurotoxicity. Of the 75 published articles and 22 reviews that meet criteria, the highest number (11%) come from Harvard; 49% appear in Anesthesiology; 85.5% pertain to newborns/early childhood; 54.7% describe inhalational anesthesia; and most appear in the Q1 quartile (the top 25%) of journals, (based on citations and impact) in America. Citations are significantly higher for funded papers. Topics in anesthesia-induced neurotoxicity, particularly in pediatrics, are important and popular. Read more.

 

OA-SPA Ask the Expert: How AI Will Impact Anesthesiology

JANUARY 30, 2024

OpenAnesthesia Associate Editor Dr. Elisha Peterson interviews Dr. Julia Galvez-Delgado about how AI will impact anesthesiology.

 

IARS 2023 in Review

IARS Year in Review ImageJANUARY 11, 2024

On behalf of all of us at the International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS), thank you sincerely for your support as a member of the IARS community. Your membership dues, Annual Meeting registration and donations help to support the many initiatives, highlighted here, that allow us to fulfill our mission.

Thank you for your contributions to the specialty and for being an integral part of the IARS community this year and for many more to come!

Wishing you a happy and healthy new year!

 

The Basic Science of Cannabinoids

A&A CoverDECEMBER 20, 2023

The medical and recreational cannabis landscape in the United States has evolved rapidly in the past decade and anesthesiologists frequently care for patients who regularly use cannabinoids. It is therefore timely that this issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia includes five articles on the complex and controversial subject of cannabis and cannabinoids. The articles cover broad subject matter relevant to the perioperative physician including: the basic science of cannabinoids, cannabis and cannabinoids in the perioperative period, legal and regulatory aspects of medical cannabis in the United States, cannabis and chronic pain, and cannabidiol. The reader is encouraged to read this content because it is relevant to providing anesthetic and perioperative care to patients who use cannabis and cannabinoids.

 

Legal and Regulatory Aspects of Medical Cannabis in the United States

Cannabis and Cannabinoids in the Perioperative Period

January 2024 A&A Video Summary: Featured Articles

DECEMBER 20, 2023

View this video summary covering three featured articles from the January 2024 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

IARS Trustee Emeritus Dr. Emery N. Brown Elected to the American Philosophical Society

DECEMBER 20, 2023

IARS Emeritus Trustee Emery N. Brown, MD, PhD

IARS Emeritus Trustee Emery N. Brown, MD, PhD

IARS Trustee Emeritus Emery N. Brown, MD, PhD, has been elected to join the 2023 class of new members of the American Philosophical Society, the United States’ oldest learned society. Founded in 1743 by Benjamin Franklin, the society’s mission is “promoting useful knowledge” by honoring leading scholars, scientists and professionals through elected membership and offering opportunities for interdisciplinary, intellectual fellowship. Recognized as one of these leading scholars and scientists, Dr. Brown signed the Roll Book as a new member during a ceremonial moment at the society’s fall meeting in Philadelphia on November 18.

Dr. Brown is the Edward Hood Taplin Professor of Medical Engineering and Computational Neuroscience in The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, the Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, and the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, filling multiple roles as a practicing anesthesiologist at Massachusetts General Hospital and also as a neuroscientist and statistician. For nearly 20 years, he has seamlessly integrated these three focuses into his research and clinical work, making important strides towards understanding the neuroscience of how anesthetics act in the brain to create the states of general anesthesia.

 

 

IMRA Insights banner

2017 IARS Mentored Research Award Recipient Interview: Jessica Bowser, PhD
Study: Targeting Epithelial Regeneration for Perioperative Organ Protection

DECEMBER 20, 2023

Jessica Bowser, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
University of North Carolina School of Medicine
Chapel Hill, NC

 

 

Jessica Bowser, PhD, chose academic anesthesiology as her career path for the opportunity to overcome clinical challenges that stem from devastating inflammatory conditions and tissue damage, and to collaborate with several anesthesiology thought leaders focused on solving this problem. That journey began with a 2017 IARS Mentored Research Award recognizing her research on “Targeting Epithelial Regeneration for Perioperative Organ Protection.” An instructor at the University of Texas McGovern Medical School at the time, Dr. Bowser set out to identify molecular mechanisms that are therapeutically tractable for promoting epithelial regeneration following acute and chronic inflammation. What she discovered during this investigation was a definable molecular target that is essential for epithelial regeneration and is druggable. This was the launching pad for her research in this area and her career as a scientist. Following the IMRA-funded study, Dr. Bowser was able to secure a competitive tenure-track appointment with a start-up package to fully develop her research program at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. Additionally, she has established essential national and international collaborations through invited talks and conferences that have pushed her research program forward and helped to develop competitive NIH R01 applications.

Now Associate Professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Dr. Bowser’s studies have expanded to encompass the areas of genomics, computational biology, and metabolomics with the help of a tremendous group of collaborators. In the following interview, she discusses her research journey, how the IMRA funded study helped her progress as a researcher and advanced her career, and how her research area continues to evolve today. Read more.

Save the Date for Our 2024 Annual Meeting in Seattle, WA – May 17-19!

DECEMBER 20, 2023

Join us for the 2024 Annual Meeting, presented by IARS and SOCCA in Seattle, to connect with colleagues and share fantastic educational content, scientific exchanges, and networking opportunities. We look forward to welcoming you in-person at the Hyatt Regency Seattle Hotel.

Learn more.

Upcoming Webinar: Challenges in Managing Diabetic Patients-SGLT2 Inhibitors, GLP1 Agonists, and Insulin Pumps on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm ET

DECEMBER 20, 2023

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to stay up-to-date on the latest advancements in the management of the diabetic patient! Join us for an informative session, including Speaker Dr. Girish Joshi, one of the lead authors of the recently published ASA guideline on GLP-1 receptor agonists. With his expert insights, attendees will gain valuable takeaways on how to optimize patient care. Additionally, the expert speakers will delve into the hot topic of perioperative management of SGLT2 inhibitors, providing critical considerations for patients on an insulin pump. Register now and join us for an engaging and informative discussion!

Moderator: Sakura Kinjo, MD, University of California, San Francisco, CA

Presenters

The Challenges in the Management of Patients on SGLT2 Inhibitors Undergoing Surgery
Atul Gupta, MBBS, MPH, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL

 

ASA Consensus-Based Guidance on Preoperative Management of Patients on Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) Receptor Agonists
Girish P. Joshi, MBBS, MD, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
 
Perioperative Management of Insulin Pump

Robert Rushakoff, MD, MS, University of California, San Francisco, CA

Register now!

View the 2024 webinar schedule.

View Recordings from Previous Webinars

DECEMBER 20, 2023

Missed a previous webinar? IARS full members can access a valuable library of recordings from previous webinars from 2021, 2022 and 2023. Plus, take advantage of opportunities to claim Enduring Material CME credits.

Learn more and access this valuable learning today!

Session Videos from the 2023 Annual Meeting Available

DECEMBER 20, 2023

IARS full members can now access session recordings from 2023 Annual Meetings as well as a video library from the 2018-2022 meetings.

Additionally, full members may claim CME credit from the 2021, 2022 and 2023 Annual Meetings.

Access this forward-looking education today!

Discover Anesthesia Community Activities on the Events Calendar

DECEMBER 20, 2023

View meetings and events from the IARS and the anesthesia community on the Anesthesia Community Events Calendar. If you have a meeting or event you would like to include on this calendar, email [email protected]. Please include the date, time, location and website URL for the meeting or event.

Neurobehavioral Effects of General Anesthesia and Cochlear Implantation on Hearing-Impaired Infants: a Prospective Observational Cohort Study. Li Ma et al. October 2023.

DECEMBER 20, 2023

What are the developmental effects of anesthesia exposure in children with early bilateral cochlear implantation (BCI) vs unilateral cochlear implantation (UCI)? This prospective study performs baseline, 6-month, and 1-year assessments on 90 healthy infants aged 6 months to 2 years with severe to profound hearing loss. Despite longer exposures to general anesthesia, infants with BCI show more improvement in language scores and no differences in gross motor, fine motor, and adaptability scores when compared to infants with UCI. Read more.

OpenAnesthesia POCUS of the Month

DECEMBER 20, 2023

Cardiac Anesthesia Ask the Expert

DECEMBER 20, 2023

Drs. Albert Tsai and Ellen Richter do a deep dive into everything related to the right ventricle, from how it works, to what to do when it fails.

OA-SPA Ask the Expert

DECEMBER 20, 2023

OpenAnesthesia Editor Dr. Jina Sinskey interviews Dr. Caleb Ing, who gives us an update on pediatric anesthetic neurotoxicity.

OA-SPA Pediatric Anesthesia Virtual Grand Rounds

DECEMBER 20, 2023

Anesthesia Considerations for Pediatric Craniofacial Surgery with Dr. Olivia Nelson.

More OA Education

FAER Spring 2024 Grant Cycle: Applications Open Through February 15!

DECEMBER 20, 2023

FAER Box Graphic Spring 2024 V1The Foundation for Anesthesia Education and Research (FAER) is accepting applications for its current grant cycle through February 15, 2024. Grants available this cycle include the Mentored Research Training Grant ($250,000, two years), Research in Education Grant ($100,000, one year), and Research Fellowship Grant ($75,000, one year). Share this information with anyone who would benefit from FAER funding and apply today!

Learn more & apply!

 

Prediction of Acute Myocardial Injury in Noncardiac Surgery in Patients at Risk for Major Adverse Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Events: A Multivariable Risk Model

A&A CoverNOVEMBER 30, 2023

Should we be ordering preoperative cardiac biomarker tests? And which patients will benefit from postoperative troponin surveillance? Patients with perioperative myocardial injury are at increased risk of death and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. Current guidelines suggest assessment of troponin and natriuretic peptides shortly before surgery in at-risk patients and continuation of troponin surveillance after surgery in selected patients. Nevertheless, the best use of perioperative cardiac biomarker assessment is still under discussion, and there is no consensus about how to select patients for postoperative troponin monitoring.

This month’s featured article provides data that support ordering preoperative cardiac biomarker profiles in patients with cardiovascular risk factors or known cardiovascular disease. The authors propose an approach to identifying patients for postoperative troponin surveillance based on baseline hsTnT levels and the assessment of a 6-predictor risk model.

The Physician Anesthesia Workforce in Canada From 1996 to 2018: A Longitudinal Analysis of Health Administrative Data

The Infinite Game: One Possible Future of Anesthesia in the United States

December 2023 A&A Video Summary: Featured Articles

NOVEMBER 30, 2023

View this video summary covering three featured articles from the December 2023 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

IARS Board Chair Dr. Beverley Orser Appointed to the Order of Ontario

NOVEMBER 30, 2023

Dr. Orser PhotoThe Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and Chancellor of the Order of Ontario, has announced the appointment of IARS Board Chair Dr. Beverley Orser to the Order of Ontario for 2022. The Order of Ontario is Ontario’s highest civilian honor and is presented for extraordinary contributions to the province.

In her announcement, Ms. Dowdeswell said, ”A physician/scientist at Canada’s largest trauma centre, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Dr. Beverley Orser is one of the world’s leading researchers in anesthesiology whose ground-breaking work is focused on optimizing anesthesia, improving access to safe care in rural communities and mitigating post-operative delirium and cognitive decline. A global leader in medication safety, Dr. Orser is serving with the International Anesthesia Research Society and other international organizations, dedicating her life to pioneering research and advancing understanding of how anesthetic drugs alter brain function.”

The 26 new appointments to the Order of Ontario for 2022 were announced on November 6. Appointments are typically announced the following year as nominations go through an extensive vetting and selection process. Nominations for the 2023 Order of Ontario closed in March 2023 and will be announced in 2024. More than 800 people have been recognized with the Order of Ontario since its creation in 1986.

Read More

 

IMRA Insights banner

2014 IARS Mentored Research Award Recipient Interview: Miles Berger, MD, PhD
Study: The Trajectory and Significance of Perioperative Changes in Alzheimer’s Disease Biomarkers

NOVEMBER 30, 2023

Miles Berger, MD, PhD
Associate Professor of Anesthesiology,
Adjunct Faculty,
Center for Cognitive Neuroscience at Duke, and
Senior Fellow,
Duke Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development
Duke University Medical Center
Durham, NC

 

When Miles Berger, MD, PhD, received the email to tell him he had been awarded the 2014 IARS Mentored Research Award, he initially thought it was a mistake. Newly on faculty at Duke University Medical Center, he had already applied for several awards and received rejections to all of them. He was beginning to feel discouraged and questioning whether he would find success as a researcher. Fortunately, that IMRA recognition was not a mistake, it gave him renewed confidence in his abilities as a scientist, and supported his research on “The Trajectory and Significance of Perioperative Changes in Alzheimer’s Disease Biomarkers,” taking his research and professional career into novel directions. His findings indicated that there is significant variation in how each patient’s brain responds to anesthesia, implying that cognitive assessments on all older adults before surgery could prove crucial. Now an Associate Professor in Anesthesiology at Duke, Dr. Berger and his research team found that if you didn’t have the time to perform a preoperative, cognitive assessment, you could just look at how much alpha power the patient’s brain produced in response to anesthetics and get a rough prediction of what their cognitive function would be like postsurgery. After they published their results in 2017, their work has been replicated by multiple groups around the world including in Europe and Chile. Dr. Berger went on to be successful in achieving additional grants to support his research around cognitive function after surgery in older adults. Every study Dr. Berger has embarked on since has involved one or more aspects of what he investigated in that initial IMRA-funded study, setting him up with a strong toolbox to succeed as a physician-scientist. In an interview, he shares his fascination with current brain health research, his dedication to discovering answers to how anesthetics affect cognitive function in older adults, and the impact the initial IMRA-funded research made on his career and research trajectory. Read more.

2024 Abstract Submission Open Until December 10!

NOVEMBER 30, 2023

Just 10 days left! Submit your original research for the 2024 Annual Meeting, presented by IARS and SOCCA, in Seattle, WA before it’s too late! The extended deadline is December 10, 2023. Don’t miss the opportunity to present your research as an oral abstract, mini-oral or poster presentation plus the chance to be considered for awards. Be sure to follow the submission guidelines. You’ll be notified of your status in January 2024. Act now and submit today to share your research!

Learn more.

Upcoming Webinar: Pulmonary Hypertension Update: Definition, Dangers and Disasters on Tuesday, December 12, 2023, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm ET

NOVEMBER 30, 2023

Pulmonary hypertension is a challenging disease, particularly in the perioperative period. This session will address the most recent findings of the World Symposium of Pulmonary Hypertension, including changes to the hemodynamic and clinical classification of the disease. The expert panel will review the latest guidelines for perioperative optimization of these patients. Importantly, this panel will provide concrete roadmaps for the perioperative management of these patients.

Moderator: Mary Beth Brady, MD, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD

Presenters

Re-Defining Pulmonary Hypertension: Do the Experts Agree?
Paul M. Heerdt, PhD, MD, Yale University, New Haven, CT

Roadmap for Perioperative Management: Crystal Clear Advice
Jochen Steppan, MD, DESA, FAHA, FASA, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD

Cases, Cases, Cases: How to Recognize Dangers and Avert Disaster!
Stephanie Ibekwe, MD, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX

Register now!

View Recordings from Previous Webinars

NOVEMBER 30, 2023

Missed a previous webinar? IARS full members can access a valuable library of recordings from previous webinars from 2021, 2022 and 2023. Plus, take advantage of opportunities to claim Enduring Material CME credits.

Learn more and access this valuable learning today!

Session Videos from the 2023 Annual Meeting Available

NOVEMBER 30, 2023

IARS full members can now access session recordings from 2023 Annual Meetings as well as a video library from the 2018-2022 meetings.

Additionally, full members may claim CME credit from the 2021, 2022 and 2023 Annual Meetings.

Access this forward-looking education today!

Discover Anesthesia Community Activities on the Events Calendar

NOVEMBER 30, 2023

View meetings and events from the IARS and the anesthesia community on the Anesthesia Community Events Calendar. If you have a meeting or event you would like to include on this calendar, email [email protected]. Please include the date, time, location and website URL for the meeting or event.

Perioperative Management of Infant Inguinal Hernia Surgery; a Review of the Recent Literature. Taverner, Krishnan, Baird, von Ungern-Sternberg. October 2023.

NOVEMBER 30, 2023

What is optimal perioperative anesthesia care for preterm infants having inguinal hernia surgery (IHS)? In their review of current evidence in clinical, surgical, and anesthesia practice, the authors discuss 1) timing, 2) surgical/anesthetic techniques, 3) spinal/caudal block, 4) general anesthesia, and 5) neurodevelopment. Despite the large volume of literature on IHS, optimal perioperative care remains in debate — there is no “gold standard” for anesthesia agents and techniques. The ideal care plan must consider the infant’s comorbidities and risks, surgical timing, parent/caregiver concerns, and each clinician’s skill set/preferences. Read more.

OpenAnesthesia-Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology

NOVEMBER 30, 2023

Hilary Gallin, MD, MBA, presents “Enhanced Recover After Cesarean Delivery (Update).”

OA-SPA Ask the Expert

NOVEMBER 30, 2023

This is a repost of the August 2018 episode with Drs. Dabe Chatterjee and Randall Flick who discussed anesthetic neurotoxicity in pediatric patients. This topic will be updated in the December 2023 episode by Dr. Jina Sinskey who interviews Dr. Caleb Ing.

More OA Education

Letter of Intent Submissions for the APSF-FAER Mentored Research Training Grant (MRTG) Open!

NOVEMBER 30, 2023

APSF-FAER Box Graphic Spring 2024Letter of Intent Submissions for the APSF-FAER Mentored Research Training Grant (MRTG) are open December 1, 2023 through January 1, 2024! Cosponsored by the Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation (APSF) and Foundation for Anesthesia Education and Research (FAER), this two-year, $300,000 award helps anesthesiologists develop the skills and preliminary data they need to become independent investigators in the field of anesthesia patient safety. Eligible to anesthesiologist faculty members who are within 10 years of their first faculty appointment, learn more on FAER’s website!

 

IARS Board Chair Dr. Beverley Orser Appointed to the Order of Ontario

NOVEMBER 7, 2023

Beverley Orser

Dr. Beverley Orser

The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and Chancellor of the Order of Ontario, has announced the appointment of IARS Board Chair Dr. Beverley Orser to the Order of Ontario for 2022. The Order of Ontario is Ontario’s highest civilian honor and is presented for extraordinary contributions to the province.

In her announcement, Ms. Dowdeswell said, ”A physician/scientist at Canada’s largest trauma centre, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Dr. Beverley Orser is one of the world’s leading researchers in anesthesiology whose ground-breaking work is focused on optimizing anesthesia, improving access to safe care in rural communities and mitigating post-operative delirium and cognitive decline. A global leader in medication safety, Dr. Orser is serving with the International Anesthesia Research Society and other international organizations, dedicating her life to pioneering research and advancing understanding of how anesthetic drugs alter brain function.”

The 26 new appointments to the Order of Ontario for 2022 were announced on November 6. Appointments are typically announced the following year as nominations go through an extensive vetting and selection process. Nominations for the 2023 Order of Ontario closed in March 2023 and will be announced in 2024. More than 800 people have been recognized with the Order of Ontario since its creation in 1986.

“As Chancellor of the Order of Ontario, I am proud to recognize the Order’s 2022 appointees. These remarkable Ontarians demonstrate outstanding merit and excellence in many diverse disciplines, including the arts, science, education, sports, and human rights,” said Lieutenant Governor Dowdeswell. “In reflecting the best of Ontario, they inspire the best in ourselves. On behalf of a grateful province, I offer my warmest congratulations.”

The incoming Lieutenant Governor, Edith Dumont, will bestow this highest honor to the new appointees during a ceremony on November 27, 2023. “On behalf of a grateful province, congratulations to the 2022 appointees of the Order of Ontario,” said Michael Ford, Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism. “The Order of Ontario honours and celebrates impressive leaders and trailblazers who represent the best of our great province from a variety of sectors. Their outstanding dedication, achievements and lifetime of service have made a difference in their communities and in building a stronger Ontario.”

Join us in congratulating Dr. Orser on receiving this exceptional recognition!

Read more: https://news.ontario.ca/en/backgrounder/1003769/the-2022-appointees-to-the-order-of-ontario.

The Capnography Project

A&A CoverOCTOBER 31, 2023

This month’s “high-impact bundle” comprises three articles on capnography. One might ask, why are we highlighting capnography when it has been available since the 1980s? The cover art should give you a clue. Many, if not most, anesthesia providers in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) do not have access to this essential monitor. Since pulse oximetry has become widely available everywhere, the call has gone out for a low-cost, reliable capnograph. Smile Train and Lifebox have answered that call, and in this issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia, the focus is on the result of their efforts. A new dual capnograph and oximeter is presented, accompanied by a well-thought-out education program. There is also a challenge to anesthesiologists, anesthesia societies, nongovernmental organizations, and ministries of health: How can capnographs be provided to colleagues working in underresourced areas? If we do not advocate for, and assist in, procurement, it may take many years before patients in LMICs can reap the benefit of the increased safety provided by using capnography.

Getting Capnography to the Front Lines

Capnography — An Essential Monitor, Everywhere: A Narrative Review

A&A Editor-in-Chief Professor Jaideep Pandit Awarded Sir Ivan Magill Gold Medal

OCTOBER 31, 2023

Congratulations are in order for Anesthesia & Analgesia’s Editor-in-Chief Professor Jaideep Pandit, Professor of Anaesthesia and Fellow and Tutor in Medicine at St John’s, who has been awarded the Sir Ivan Magill Gold Medal of the Association of Anaesthetists, the organization’s most prestigious honor. He becomes only the 8th recipient of the Medal in the Association’s 90-year history. With his award of the Royal College of Anaesthetists’ Gold Medal last year, Professor Pandit becomes the first person ever to receive the highest awards of both the UK’s national anesthesia organizations.

Professor Pandit reflected, “I am truly honored to receive the Magill Medal – the past recipients can be said to have laid the foundations of our specialty through innovation, and to be regarded as following in their footsteps in even a small way is humbling. To find myself now in receipt of the Gold Medals of both the Association and the Royal College is an honor that reflects the efforts of so many people in my team and beyond, and I hope also reflects the strength of UK science and the contribution we can collectively make to the specialty as a whole.”

November 2023 A&A Video Summary: Featured Articles

OCTOBER 31, 2023

View this video summary covering three featured articles in the November 2023 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

 

IMRA Insights banner

2019 IARS Mentored Research Award Recipient Interview: Lara Wiley Crock, MD, PhD, MSCI
Study: Role of the Microbiome in the Persistence of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

OCTOBER 31, 2023

Lara CrockLara Wiley Crock, MD, PhD, MSCI
Assistant Professor,
Division of Pain Management,
Department of Anesthesiology,
Washington University School of Medicine
St. Louis, MI

A car accident during medical school profoundly affected Dr. Lara Wiley Crock, MD, PhD, MSCI’s life. Fortunate to recover, she became more aware of the many patients in the clinical settings who did not fully recover and set out to understand why. This curiosity propelled Dr. Crock down a path to better understand pain and how research may be able to influence patient outcomes related to it. With the help of a 2019 IARS Mentored Research Award, she began to unravel those unknowns with a study, “Role of the Microbiome in the Persistence of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome,” focused on identifying gut microbiota differences in acute and chronic pain due to specific pain condition and determining if this information could predict who would develop chronic pain after an acute injury by their microbiota differences. In examining patients with chronic complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) and household members without CRPS as a control, they found something that no one had observed before. About 50% of participants with CRPS lived with someone with chronic pain (as opposed to a 20% prevalence in the general population). Although this is just an observation in this adult population, this finding may well be an independent risk factor for the development of chronic pain. Dr. Crock and her research collaborators continue to pursue answers to this question, making progress towards early identification of patients at high risk for the development of chronic pain and preventing its development. In the following interview, she shares her research journey, how the IMRA helped her progress in her career as a researcher and her hopes for the future of the study of pain. Read more.

2024 Abstract Submission Open Now!

OCTOBER 31, 2023

Submit your abstracts now for the 2024 Annual Meeting, presented by IARS and SOCCA, May 17-19, in Seattle, WA. Don’t miss your chance to share your expertise, gain recognition, and interact with colleagues in the anesthesiology community.

The abstract submission deadline is December 8, 2023.

Learn more.

Upcoming Webinar: Perioperative Infection: New Risks and the Emerging Science of Prevention
Tuesday, November 14, 2023, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm ET

OCTOBER 31, 2023

Infection prevention is a critical element of perioperative quality and safety, underscored by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the global rise of antimicrobial resistance. This session will cover the role of anesthesiologists as perioperative physicians in implementing evidence-based clinical practices for infection prevention, advancing the science of this field, and effectively advocating for standards that protect our patients and ourselves. Speakers will address topics including occupational health, emerging pathogens, evidence for infection prevention in the anesthesia work area, and implementation of associated quality improvement programs.

The Role of Antimicrobial Resistance and the Patient Microbiome in Healthcare-Associated Infection
Moderator and Presenter: Dustin R. Long, MD, University of Washington

Transmission of Pathogens within the OR and the Anesthesia Work Area
Presenter: Randy Loftus, MD, Mayo Clinic

Protecting Patients and Healthcare Providers from Aerosol Transmissible Respiratory Diseases
Presenter: Andrew Bowdle, MD, PhD, FASE, University of Washington

Implementation of Evidence-Based Interventions in Perioperative Infection Prevention
Presenter: Jeremiah R. Brown, PhD, Dartmouth University

Register now!

Stay in Tune with Anesthesia Community Activities on the Events Calendar

OCTOBER 31, 2023

View meetings and events from the IARS and the anesthesia community on the Anesthesia Community Events Calendar. If you have a meeting or event you would like to include on this calendar, email [email protected]. Please include the date, time, location and website URL for the meeting or event.

View Recordings from IARS Virtual Education

OCTOBER 31, 2023

Now available for IARS full members! Explore webinars from 2021, 2022 and 2023 and claim CME credits. IARS full members can view the recordings here.

Watch Annual Meeting Session Videos

OCTOBER 31, 2023

Session recordings from the IARS 2023 Annual Meeting are now available to IARS members. IARS members can also claim CME credit from the 2021, 2022 and 2023 Annual Meetings.

First Anesthesia Exposure Effects on Short-Term Neurocognitive Function Among 1- to 36-Month-Old Children: A Case-Control Pilot Study

OCTOBER 31, 2023

In their prospective case-control study, investigators studied short-term neurocognitive function after early anesthesia exposure. Subjects include 39 children ages 1-36 months hospitalized for noncardiac surgery (anesthesia group [AG] and a control group [CG]) of 20 healthy children. Findings show the AG with statistically and clinically lower baseline cognitive scores than the CG. The postanesthesia composite cognitive scores for most of the AG were statistically higher than their baseline scores, but without clinical significance. Seven children in the AG group had lower cognitive scores after anesthesia exposure. Read more.

OpenAnesthesia POCUS of the Month

OCTOBER 31, 2023

View this Left Ventricular Systolic Function Assessment, 3-Part Video Episode

OA-SPA Ask the Expert

OCTOBER 31, 2023

Dr. Faith Ross and OpenAnesthesia Editor Dr. Elisha Peterson discuss racial/ethnic disparities in pediatric congenital heart disease and the impact of Medicaid expansion.

Cardiac Anesthesia Ask the Expert

OCTOBER 31, 2023

New series! Drs. Emily Methangkool and Albert Tsai discuss why he went into cardiac anesthesiology and tips for fellowship applications.

IARS Announces Executive Director Retirement

OCTOBER 12, 2023

Tom Cooper

Thomas A. Cooper, IARS Executive Director

IARS today announced that the Society’s long-time Executive Director, Tom Cooper, will be retiring in 2024. Cooper’s decision to retire will bring to a close his remarkable 17 years of service to IARS and an extensive career in healthcare society management.

“The IARS Board of Trustees, staff, and our many partners feel privileged to have worked with Tom and are enormously grateful to him for his many contributions,” said Dr. Beverley Orser, Chair of the IARS Board. “His dedication to the IARS, professionalism and expertise have been exemplary,” she added. “He has been a tireless colleague who has developed and led an effective administrative team.”

“Tom’s commitment to the IARS board and its mission is unparalleled, his leadership style is all-inclusive, and his attention to detail is one of his enormous strengths,” said Dr. Santhanam Suresh, IARS Physician Executive and past Board Chair. “His steadfast dedication to the advancement of the science of anesthesiology is palpable. His successor will have very big shoes to fill.”

“It has been my great honor and privilege to serve as Executive Director of IARS,” Cooper said. “I am proud of the organization IARS is today and the impact it has on the specialty and community. The collective efforts of a dedicated Board of Trustees, a remarkably talented staff, and countless outstanding individuals combine to advance anesthesia research through innovation, creativity, and financial support. The Society has refocused its mission for the coming years and I could not be more excited about its future.”

Adlocutio Cohortium: Introduction of a New Editor-in-Chief

Dr. PanditSEPTEMBER 28, 2023

Please join us in welcoming Jaideep J. Pandit, Professor of Anaesthesia, University of Oxford, for his first issue leading Anesthesia & Analgesia (A&A) and its companion journal, A&A Practice as its new Editor-in-Chief.

Professor Pandit becomes the 8th Editor-in-Chief, succeeding Editor-in-Chief Dr. Jean-Francois Pittet. He is the first A&A Editor-in-Chief based outside the United States to lead this prestigious journal. Professor Pandit brings a wealth of experience to his new role as A&A Editor-in-Chief, ranging from respiratory physiology and pharmacology, to clinical difficult airway management, neuroscience of accidental awareness, vascular anesthesia and statistics, amongst other themes in which he has published many highly cited articles.

Editor-in-Chief Dr. Jaideep Pandit Recognized for Achievements in Clinical, Basic Science and Patient Safety

SEPTEMBER 28, 2023

Please join us in congratulating new Anesthesia & Analgesia Editor-in-Chief Dr. Jaideep Pandit on receiving the rarely awarded and prestigious Gold Medal of the Royal College of Anaesthetists. The Gold Medal is the highest honor given by the Royal College of Anaesthetists in recognition of sustained contributions at the highest level to the specialty of anesthesia.

“I had never expected this award. There are some things one applies for in the knowledge that someone has to be a recipient, but this is an award made out-of-the-blue as it were, with no prior knowledge or expectation,” Professor Pandit acknowledged on receiving this award. “I am humbled and honoured that somewhere a very distinguished panel of peers has felt moved enough by my work, and that of my colleagues and collaborators, to honour me in this way. This is a rarely given award: the last award made to an Oxford anaesthetist was 20 years ago, to the then Nuffield Professor Pierre Foex, and to follow in his steps is a special privilege.”

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: More Than Words

SEPTEMBER 28, 2023

October 2023 CoverFor this month’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion-Themed issue, the cover art was deliberately created using an impressionist style to reflect similar sensibilities of diversity, equity, and inclusion within the field of anesthesiology. Fans of impressionist art will recognize its telltale qualities. These include loose brushstrokes with indistinct borders as one object begins only vaguely where another ends. There is an emphasis as well on painting with the properties of light, which often casts figures in unique hues relative to their environment. Lastly, there is a sense of movement. This is in stark contrast to the seemingly motionless figures of neoclassical portraiture. Fittingly, the color of one’s skin is considered as a defining element of who they are and the societal forces that influence their station in life. DEI initiatives in healthcare have made progress but are as of yet out of focus at the edges, the brushstrokes ill-defined. But much like impressionism, there is movement. Stagnation has given way to action.

Anesthesia & Analgesia Devotes Special Issue to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

SEPTEMBER 28, 2023

Reflecting the need in anesthesiology to address diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), Anesthesia & Analgesia has devoted its entire October 2023 issue to these topics.

“The mission of Anesthesia & Analgesia states that the Journal exists for the benefit of current and future patients under the care of healthcare professionals engaged in the disciplines broadly related to anesthesiology,” A&A Executive Editor for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Paloma Toledo, MD, MPH, and colleagues note in an introductory editorial in this issue. “We as a specialty cannot escape the reality that to fulfill this mission, we must also address DEI.”

The Anesthesiology Physician-Scientist Pipeline: Current Status and Recommendations for Future Growth—An Initiative of the Anesthesia Research Council

The Women in Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology Special Interest Group: What Can the Lessons of One Anesthesiology Affinity Group Tell Us About How to Build Impactful Professional Communities?

Anesthesiology Researcher Pipeline Lags Behind Other Specialties

SEPTEMBER 28, 2023

Anesthesiology researchers are responsible for some of medicine’s most significant advances, from the Apgar score that tests a newborn’s health to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). But the number of medical residents in the anesthesiology physician-scientist (researcher) pipeline trails other specialties, particularly among women, according to findings of the Anesthesia Research Council (ARC), published in Anesthesia & Analgesia.

October 2023 A&A Video Summary: Featured Articles

SEPTEMBER 28, 2023

View this video summary covering three featured articles in the October 2023 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

IMRA Insights banner

2016 IARS Mentored Research Award Recipient Interview: Daniel I. McIsaac, MD, MPH, FRCPC

Study: A PSH for the Frail Elderly (Phase 3): Prehabilitation of Frail Elderly

SEPTEMBER 28, 2023

Daniel I. McIsaac, MD, MPH, FRCPC
Associate Professor of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine, Epidemiology & Public Health;
Research Chair in Innovative Perioperative Care,
University of Ottawa
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

From the moment Daniel I. McIsaac, MD, MPH, FRCPC entered medicine, he was confident he knew resolutely his research path would focus on health systems, observational and comparative effectiveness research. However, after receiving a 2016 IARS Mentored Research Award for his study on “A PSH for the Frail Elderly (Phase 3): Prehabilitation of Frail Elderly,” and gaining valuable new knowledge from that experience, his path took an unexpected turn. Now, as an Associate Professor of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine, Epidemiology & Public Health and Research Chair in Innovative Perioperative Care at University of Ottawa, Dr. McIsaac spends the majority of his research time running innovative clinical trials, and quite successfully at that. The success of his IMRA-led study helped his research group to receive national funding for an 11-center, 850-participant multicenter trial of an enhanced home-based exercise and nutritional prehabilitation trial for older patients with frailty. Currently one of the largest prehabilitation trials in the world, he is hopeful that it will eventually inform real world implementation of prehabilitation. Below, he shares some insight on his journey in research, how IMRA catapulted his progress as a scientist, and his forward-thinking goals for the future of the specialty.

Read more.

2024 Abstract Submission Open Now!

SEPTEMBER 28, 2023

Submit your abstracts now for the 2024 Annual Meeting, presented by IARS and SOCCA, May 17-19, in Seattle, WA. Don’t miss your chance to share your expertise, gain recognition, and interact with colleagues in the anesthesiology community.

The abstract submission deadline is December 8, 2023.

Learn more.

Upcoming Webinar: Perioperative Infection: New Risks and the Emerging Science of Prevention
Tuesday, November 14, 2023, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm ET

SEPTEMBER 28, 2023

Infection prevention is a critical element of perioperative quality and safety, underscored by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the global rise of antimicrobial resistance. This session will cover the role of anesthesiologists as perioperative physicians in implementing evidence-based clinical practices for infection prevention, advancing the science of this field, and effectively advocating for standards that protect our patients and ourselves. Speakers will address topics including occupational health, emerging pathogens, evidence for infection prevention in the anesthesia work area, and implementation of associated quality improvement programs.

Moderator: Randy Loftus, MD, University of Iowa

Presenters

The Role of Antimicrobial Resistance and the Patient Microbiome in Healthcare-Associated Infection
Dustin R. Long, MD, University of Washington

Transmission of Pathogens within the OR and the Anesthesia Work Area
Randy Loftus, MD, University of Iowa

Occupational Health, Provider Safety, and Emerging Infections
Andrew Bowdle, MD, PhD, FASE, University of Washington

Implementation of Local and National Quality Improvement Initiatives in Perioperative Infection Prevention
Jeremiah R. Brown, PhD, Dartmouth University

Register now!

Stay in Tune with Anesthesia Community Activities on the Events Calendar

SEPTEMBER 28, 2023

View meetings and events from the IARS and the anesthesia community on the Anesthesia Community Events Calendar. If you have a meeting or event you would like to include on this calendar, email [email protected]. Please include the date, time, location and website URL for the meeting or event.

View Recordings from IARS Virtual Education

SEPTEMBER 28, 2023

Now available for IARS full members! Explore webinars from 2021 and 2022 and claim CME credits. IARS full members can view the recordings here.

Now Available! Watch Annual Meeting Session Videos

SEPTEMBER 28, 2023

Session recordings from the IARS 2022 Annual Meeting are now available to IARS members. IARS members can also claim CME credit from the 2021, 2022 and 2023 Annual Meetings.

Anesthesia, the Developing Brain, and Dexmedetomidine for Neuroprotection

SEPTEMBER 28, 2023

This literature review seeks to clarify the ability of dexmedetomidine (DEX) to mitigate anesthesia-induced developmental neurotoxicity. The authors address DEX vis-a-vis 1) findings in animal and human studies; 2) mechanisms of action and pharmacodynamics; 3) anesthesia-induced neuroapoptosis and neuroinflammation; and 4) neuroplasticity and synaptic architecture. Findings yield many studies in pediatric patients having low-risk, elective surgeries and “current evidence may not be strong enough to conclude that DEX is purely neuroprotective.” The field needs more research on DEX neuroprotection in high-risk patients having major surgeries. Read more.

OpenAnesthesia-Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology

SEPTEMBER 28, 2023

Carlo Pancaro, MD, presents “Safety in Obstetric Anesthesia.”

OA-SPA Ask the Expert

SEPTEMBER 28, 2023

OpenAnesthesia Editor Dr. Aditee Ambardekar interviews Dr. Jay Deshpande, who gives us an update on the Wake Up Safe Collaborative.

OA-SPA Pediatric Anesthesia Virtual Grand Rounds

SEPTEMBER 28, 2023

Anesthetic Considerations in Patients with Mitochondrial Disease with Dr. Siri Kanmanthreddy.

WCA2024 | Abstract Submissions Accepted until October 15

SEPTEMBER 28, 2023

The WCA2024 is the 18th World Congress of Anaesthesiologists, taking place in Singapore from March 3-7, 2024. Connect with a global community, meet new people in the field of anaesthesia. Covering a range of topics, introducing new techniques, new types of equipment, unpublished data, to allow you to learn from thought-leaders in the industry. Early Bird Registration is open until November 30. Learn More.

Caring for Our Patients With Opioid Use Disorder in the Perioperative Period: A Guide for the Anesthesiologist

Anesthesia & AnalgesiaSEPTEMBER 1, 2023

This month’s “high-impact bundle” comprises three articles that address perioperative management of patients with substance use disorders (SUDs), with emphasis on opioids and psychostimulants. These articles highlight the unique opportunity that anesthesiologists as perioperative physicians have in promoting positive health care outcomes in patients with SUDs.

Substance Use Disorders: Basic Overview for the Anesthesiologist

Perioperative Considerations for Patients Exposed to Psychostimulants

Anesthesiologists Should Play Bigger Role in Perioperative Care of People with Substance Use Disorders

SEPTEMBER 1, 2023

In recognition of National Recovery Month, Anesthesia & Analgesia has published a high-impact bundle of articles on substance use disorders in the September 2023 issue.

September 2023 A&A Video Summary: Featured Articles

SEPTEMBER 1, 2023

View this video summary covering three featured articles in the September 2023 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

Congratulations to the 2023 Mentored Research Award Recipients!

SEPTEMBER 1, 2023

The IARS Mentored Research Awards support investigators who further the understanding of clinical practice in anesthesiology and improving patient care. Our 2023 recipients are future leaders in this distinguished field and their funded studies are vital to the progress of the specialty! Learn more about the 2023 recipients.

2024 Abstract Submission Opens in Early September!

SEPTEMBER 1, 2023

Start preparing your abstracts now for the 2024 Annual Meeting, presented by IARS and SOCCA, May 17-19, in Seattle, WA. Abstract submission will open in early September. Don’t miss your chance to share your expertise, gain recognition, and interact with colleagues in the anesthesiology community.

The abstract submission deadline is December 8, 2023.

Learn more.

Upcoming Webinar: Preserving Brain Health in Older Adults: How Can We Help as Anesthesiologists?
Tuesday, September 12, 2023, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm ET

SEPTEMBER 1, 2023

Perioperative delirium and cognitive dysfunction are common among older adults and are associated with unfavorable patient outcomes and increased resource utilization. The development and implementation of strategies to minimize delirium and cognitive dysfunction are critical to maintaining quality of life and functional independence in this high-risk population. As perioperative and pain management specialists integrated through all phases of patient care, anesthesiologists are uniquely positioned to lead these efforts. In this panel session, anesthesiologists with expertise in perioperative brain health discuss practical strategies to predict, identify, and attenuate delirium and cognitive dysfunction in older adults. These strategies are applicable to all anesthesiologists and health professionals involved in the perioperative management of older adults.

Moderator: Nafisseh Warner, MD, MSc, Mayo Clinic

Speakers:
Deborah J. Culley, MD, University of Pennsylvania
Miles Berger, MD, PhD, Duke University
Elizabeth Whitlock, MD, MS, UCSF

Register now!

Stay in Tune with Anesthesia Community Activities on the Events Calendar

SEPTEMBER 1, 2023

View meetings and events from the IARS and the anesthesia community on the Anesthesia Community Events Calendar. If you have a meeting or event you would like to include on this calendar, email [email protected]. Please include the date, time, location and website URL for the meeting or event.

View Recordings from IARS Virtual Education

SEPTEMBER 1, 2023

Now available for IARS full members! Explore webinars from 2021 and 2022 and claim CME credits. IARS full members can view the recordings here.

Now Available! Watch Annual Meeting Session Videos

SEPTEMBER 1, 2023

Session recordings from the IARS 2022 Annual Meeting are now available to IARS members. IARS members can also claim CME credit from the 2021 and 2022 Annual Meetings.

Clinical Investigations on Anesthesia-Induced Developmental Neurotoxicity: The Knowns, the Unknowns and Future Prospects

SEPTEMBER 1, 2023

The authors provide a comprehensive description of the current knowledge and unsolved challenges of clinical research on developmental anesthesia neurotoxicity (DAN). The discussion addresses 1) methodological considerations in human DAN research; 2) challenges in defining measurable outcome parameters; 3) anesthesia and psychiatric diseases; 4) impact of major surgery in neonates; and 5) remaining unknowns and future perspectives. Read more.

OpenAnesthesia-Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology

SEPTEMBER 1, 2023

Eli Zarkhin, MD, presents “Massive Transfusion in Obstetric Hemorrhage.”

OA-SPA Ask the Expert

SEPTEMBER 1, 2023

This is a repost of the April 2019 episode with Dr. Don Tyler and OpenAnesthesia Editor Dr. Aditee Ambardekar, who discussed the Wake Up Safe initiative. This topic will be updated in the September 2023 episode by Dr. Ambardekar who interviews Dr. Jay Deshpande on this topic.

WCA2024 | Abstract Submissions Accepted until October 15

SEPTEMBER 1, 2023

The WCA2024 is the 18th World Congress of Anaesthesiologists, taking place in Singapore from March 3-7, 2024. Connect with a global community, meet new people in the field of anaesthesia. Covering a range of topics, introducing new techniques, new types of equipment, unpublished data, to allow you to learn from thought-leaders in the industry. Early Bird Registration is open until November 30. Learn More.

Opioid-Sparing Multimodal Analgesia Use After Cesarean Delivery Under General Anesthesia: A Retrospective Cohort Study in 729 US Hospitals

Anesthesia & AnalgesiaJULY 19, 2023

Optimizing postoperative analgesia following cesarean delivery under general anesthesia is essential to patient recovery. Many guidelines recommend the use of opioid-sparing multimodal regimens. However, are these recommendations actually followed in practice? This month’s featured article shines a light on the need for improving the provision of opioid-sparing multimodal analgesia to this group of patients, as well as potential areas where discrepancies in the use of those regimens currently exist.

Racial Disparities in Compensation Among US Anesthesiologists: Results of a National Survey of Anesthesiologists

Pro-Con Debate: Judicious Benzodiazepine Administration for Preoperative Anxiolysis in Older Patients

August 2023 A&A Video Summary: Featured Articles

JULY 19, 2023

View this video summary covering three featured articles in the August 2023 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

2024 Abstract Submission Opens in Early September!

JULY 19, 2023

Start preparing your abstracts now for the 2024 Annual Meeting, presented by IARS and SOCCA, May 17-19, in Seattle, WA. Abstract submission will open in early September. Don’t miss your chance to share your expertise, gain recognition, and interact with colleagues in the anesthesiology community.

The abstract submission deadline is December 8, 2023.

Learn more.

Upcoming Webinar: Preserving Brain Health in Older Adults: How Can We Help as Anesthesiologists?
Tuesday, September 12, 2023, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm ET

JULY 19, 2023

Perioperative delirium and cognitive dysfunction are common among older adults and are associated with unfavorable patient outcomes and increased resource utilization. The development and implementation of strategies to minimize delirium and cognitive dysfunction are critical to maintaining quality of life and functional independence in this high-risk population. As perioperative and pain management specialists integrated through all phases of patient care, anesthesiologists are uniquely positioned to lead these efforts. In this panel session, anesthesiologists with expertise in perioperative brain health discuss practical strategies to predict, identify, and attenuate delirium and cognitive dysfunction in older adults. These strategies are applicable to all anesthesiologists and health professionals involved in the perioperative management of older adults.

Moderator: Nafisseh Warner, MD, MSc, Mayo Clinic

Speakers:
Deborah J. Culley, MD, University of Pennsylvania
Miles Berger, MD, PhD, Duke University
Elizabeth Whitlock, MD, MS, UCSF

Register now!

Stay in Tune with Anesthesia Community Activities on the Events Calendar

JULY 19, 2023

View meetings and events from the IARS and the anesthesia community on the Anesthesia Community Events Calendar. If you have a meeting or event you would like to include on this calendar, email [email protected]. Please include the date, time, location and website URL for the meeting or event.

View Recordings from IARS Virtual Education

JULY 19, 2023

Now available for IARS full members! Explore webinars from 2021 and 2022 and claim CME credits. IARS full members can view the recordings here.

Now Available! Watch Annual Meeting Session Videos

JULY 19, 2023

Session recordings from the IARS 2022 Annual Meeting are now available to IARS members. IARS members can also claim CME credit from the 2021 and 2022 Annual Meetings

Multiple General Anesthesia in Children: A Systematic Review of Its Effect on Neurodevelopment

JULY 19, 2023

In their database review, investigators explore the potential effects of multiple general anesthesia procedures (mGA) on neurodevelopmental outcomes (NDO) in children < 4 years. Ten acceptable/3156 potential papers produced a total cohort of 264.7 unexposed and 11 exposed children who were assessed for NDO. Findings show a statistically significant difference in NDO between exposed and unexposed children in 9/10 papers. Controlled studies of mGA for this cohort indicate there may be a greater risk of neurodevelopmental delay in children undergoing mGA, warranting the need for careful risk/benefit considerations. Read more.

OpenAnesthesia-Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology

JULY 19, 2023

Kait Brennan, DO, MPH, presents “Complex Cardiac Disease in Pregnancy: Tools for Designing a Successful Anesthetic Plan.”

OA-SPA Ask the Expert

JULY 19, 2023

Drs. Norah Janosy and Rebecca Margolis and OpenAnesthesia Editor Dr. Jina Sinskey discuss the Society for Pediatric Anesthesia’s Well-Being Committee and its efforts to enhance well-being in pediatric anesthesia and beyond.

WCA2024 | Abstract Submissions Accepted until October 15

JULY 19, 2023

The WCA2024 is the 18th World Congress of Anaesthesiologists, taking place in Singapore from March 3-7, 2024. Connect with a global community, meet new people in the field of anaesthesia. Covering a range of topics, introducing new techniques, new types of equipment, unpublished data, to allow you to learn from thought-leaders in the industry. Early Bird Registration is open until November 30. Learn More.

Practice Advisory for Preoperative and Intraoperative Pain Management of Thoracic Surgical Patients: Part 1

Anesthesia & AnalgesiaJULY 3, 2023

This month’s featured articles highlight Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists practice advisories that provide recommendations for various aspects of preoperative and intraoperative pain management of thoracic and cardiac surgical patients. These advisories will serve as a guide for practicing anesthesiologists so that they embrace the changing practice of perioperative pain management and adapt it to their practice settings.

Practice Advisory for Preoperative and Intraoperative Pain Management of Cardiac Surgical Patients: Part 2

Pro-Con Debate: Role of Methadone in Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Protocols—Superior Analgesic or Harmful Drug?

July 2023 A&A Video Summary: Featured Articles

JULY 3, 2023

View this video summary covering three featured articles in the July 2023 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

Remembering Dr. John F. Butterworth, IV

JULY 3, 2023

Dr. ButterworthAn extraordinary husband, father, grandfather, anesthesiologist, researcher and mentor to many, John F. Butterworth, IV, MD, passed away on June 9, 2023. Along with many others in the anesthesia community, the International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS) feels his loss profoundly. A long-time champion of anesthesia research and IARS more specifically, Dr. Butterworth contributed greatly to their advancement and emphasized scholarship and mentorship throughout his career, always looking to the future and what the specialty and healthcare could become. He shared his optimism, wit, sharp intellect and curiosity with all whom he encountered.

His remarkable journey began in Richmond, Virginia. After earning his undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia, he attended Virginia Commonwealth University for Medical School. His initial interest was in neurosurgery but he quickly realized that anesthesiology would give him an opportunity to be more involved in care early in his career. He completed his residency and fellowship at The Department of Anesthesia at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston, where he stayed on as faculty member. He left to join the faculty at Wake Forest Hospital, and quickly rose to the rank of Professor of Anesthesiology and Director of Clinical Trials Research. In addition, Dr. Butterworth was the Head, Section of Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology. In 2005, he was recruited as the Robert Stoelting Chair of Anesthesiology at Indiana University, a position he held until 2011. His love for his hometown and community drew him back to Virginia Commonwealth University in 2011, where he served as the Professor & Chair of the Department of Anesthesiology until his retirement in 2020.

Always anticipating the next move and opportunity for the anesthesiology specialty, Dr. Butterworth liked to approach research and academics with Wayne Gretzky in mind. He emphasized passionately that anesthesiologists, clinicians and researchers alike needed to be skating to where the puck will be. He strived to discover what was important for the future of education, training and medicine and focused on where the specialty was heading. He believed that the future of anesthesia and medicine was incredibly bright.

Throughout his life, he played a major role in ensuring that bright and promising future. Dr. Butterworth contributed to furthering discovery through his own research in cardiovascular anesthesia and pain medicine resulting in several signature publications and multiple extramural funded grants. Additionally, he served on multiple editorial boards of medical journals as well as boards of religious and national, regional and international medical organizations. IARS was lucky enough to be among that list of international medical organizations for which Dr. Butterworth shared his expertise and passion.

His steadfast dedication to IARS, its community and mission to improve patient care through discovery and education began in 1986 when he was awarded the B.B. Sankey Anesthesia Advancement Award for his research on “Brain Cellular Mechanisms of Increased Anesthetic Susceptibility With Aging.” His involvement with IARS continued to grow from there. Recognized as an extraordinary and prolific reviewer for its journal, Anesthesia & Analgesia, Dr. Butterworth was invited to join its editorial board where he served for over 13 years. He was an invited lecturer at many major meetings regionally, nationally and internationally, including the IARS Annual Meeting. In 2008, he took his service to the IARS to the next level, joining the Board of Trustees where he contributed through 2020. He served for many years as the Journal Liaison for Anesthesia & Analgesia and was responsible for onboarding as well as providing valuable guidance to the Editor-in-Chief. Dr. Butterworth also led the Board of Trustees as Chair prior to concluding his term.

Read more.

Dr. Butterworth with one of his dogs
Dr. Butterworth with his grandchildren and one of his dogs

IARS Physician Executive Dr. Santhanam Suresh to Receive ASA’s Excellence in Education Award

JULY 3, 2023Dr. Suresh

IARS Physician Executive Dr. Santhanam Suresh was selected to receive the 2023 American Society of Anesthesiologists’ (ASA) Excellence in Education Award. The Excellence in Education Award recognizes ASA members who have made outstanding contributions through demonstrated teaching, the development of new teaching methods, and/or implementation of innovative educational programs in anesthesiology. A dedicated educator and champion for the anesthesiology specialty, Dr. Suresh has been invited to accept the award at Anesthesiology 2023 in San Francisco this October. Read more.

IARS-Sponsored Gordon Research Conference on Consciousness Draws Global Participation

JULY 3, 2023

Approximately 118 researchers from 16 countries across 5 continents came together June 11-16, at Stonehill College in Easton, MA to contemplate the important topic of Consciousness, Anesthesia and Evolutional Biology during the IARS-Sponsored Gordon Research Conference. The initial idea for this conference blossomed from a 2018 IARS strategic initiative with an aim to enhance the profile of anesthesiology research through an event that might generate international excitement. Four years later, this Gordon Research Conference has made major inroads towards that goal. Read more.

Below: Conference attendees pose for a group photo.

Row 1: Amy Gaskell, Phil Morgan, Margaret Sedensky, William Wisden, Nick Franks, Chris Connor, Peter Goldstein, Ken Solt, Max Kelz, Matthew Banks, Aeyal Raz, Stu Forman, Yuri Saalmann

Row 2: Logan Voss, Peter Schuller, Aneesh Avancha, Xue-Jun Song, Beverley Orser, Dianshi Wang, Mohammad Mansouri, Slobodan Todorovic, Mike Crowder, Bruno van Swinderen, Diany Paola Calderon, Katie Warnaby, Alexander Proekt

Row 3: Michelle Redinbaugh, Eric Melonakos, Jiang-Jian Hu, Masiel Perez, Kathryn Walder-Christensen, Cameron Bosinski, Zheng Xie, Michael Schäfer, Ranjith Kumar Sivakumar, Yodying Punjasawadwong, Shao-Jun Tang, Jyun-you Liou, Todd Rosen

Row 4: Veronica Zarr, David Schreier, Mark Baron, Indie Garwood, Pilleriin Sikka, Emma Huels, Carla Troyas, Kathleen Vincent, David Obert, Srdjan Dragovic, Joseph Antognini, Devon Applegate

Row 5: Li Li, Boris Heifets, Haya Azaria, Philip Kurien, Joseph Cichon, Andrzej Wasilczuk, Panagiotis Fotiadis, Vasilije Tadic, Diego Davila, Martha Stone, Adeeti Aggarwal, Jordan Wehrman

Row 6: Viviane Hambrecht-Wiedbusch, Christa Nehs (Van Dort), Harry Scheinin, Christian Guay, Louis Irwin, Wei Zhou, Scott Hansen, Railey White, UnCheol Lee, Claudia Heymach, Leonie Link, Eva-Verena Griemert, Dinesh Pal

Row 7: Arianna Lark, Aaron Krom, Allen Braun, Giancarlo Vanini, Jerry Chao, Arjun Bharioke, Andrew McKinstry-Wu, Victoria Bedell, Caroline Weisman, Theofanis Panagiotaropoulos, Xiaoqin Wang

Row 8: Biyu He, Zirui Huang, Jarret Weinrich, Chris Andolina, Alkananda Behera, Zixuan Yuan, Hyerim Kim, Anthony Hudetz, Michael Alkire, George Mashour, Tamara Timic Stamenic

IARS-sponsored Gordon Research Conference

Call for Sessions Now Open for the 2024 Annual Meeting, presented by IARS and SOCCA, May 17-19, in Seattle, WA!

JULY 3, 2023

The International Anesthesia Research Society and Society of Critical Care Anesthesiologists want to hear your great ideas and latest discoveries in the specialty of anesthesiology and beyond! Your session proposals will be reviewed and considered for inclusion in the 2024 Annual Meeting, May 17-19, in Seattle, WA, or for the IARS Webinar Series. Don’t miss this important opportunity to share knowledge, connect with peers and thought leaders and make a meaningful impact in the anesthesia community!

Proposals for Symposia, Panels and Problem-Based Learning Discussions (PBLDs) will be accepted. Notifications on program status will be sent by September 2023.

Learn more.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: JULY 23, 2023

Upcoming Webinar: Junior Faculty Success: Leadership Development Tools that Work Co-sponsored by eSAS: Early-Stage Anesthesiology Scholars

Tuesday, July 11, 2023, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm ET

JULY 3, 2023

The longstanding call for more effective leadership across medical specialties and in anesthesiology has led to exciting transformation within the world of medical education. These skills are also linked to more efficient career advancement for faculty members themselves. In this panel, we cover practical strategies to successfully envision and then structure our leadership journey, including segments on Career Visioning, Self-Awareness, and Time Management. Participants will walk away feeling energized, empowered, and engaged in making confident choices towards success!

Moderators: Mada F. Helou, MD, University Hospitals Case Medical Center and Mary J. Njoku, MD, University of Maryland

Time Management
Ayodele Oke, MD, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

Networking
George W. Williams II, MD, UT Health Houston

Career Visioning
Muhammad Jaffar, MD, Detroit Medical Center

Self-Awareness
David Stahl, MD, The Ohio State University

Register now!

Stay in Tune with Anesthesia Community Activities on the Events Calendar

JULY 3, 2023

View meetings and events from the IARS and the anesthesia community on the Anesthesia Community Events Calendar. If you have a meeting or event you would like to include on this calendar, email [email protected]. Please include the date, time, location and website URL for the meeting or event.

View Recordings from IARS Virtual Education

JULY 3, 2023

Now available for IARS full members! Explore webinars from 2021 and 2022 and claim CME credits. IARS full members can view the recordings here.

Now Available! Watch Annual Meeting Session Videos

JULY 3, 2023

Session recordings from the IARS 2022 Annual Meeting are now available to IARS members. IARS members can also claim CME credit from the 2021 and 2022 Annual Meetings.

Labor Epidural Analgesia and Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorders in Offspring: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

JULY 3, 2023

What is the effect of maternal labor epidural anesthesia (LEA) on the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in offspring? Why are results of recent investigations inconsistent? Investigators completed a systematic literature review, performed a meta-analysis, conducted subgroup analyses, and created estimates of relative risk. Results show an association of LEA with higher risk of ASD in offspring after combining crude estimates from various studies. This association gradually diminishes but remains statistically significant. Unmeasured confounding factors partially explain the statistically significant association between LEA and ASD. Read more.

EEG for Anesthesia

JULY 3, 2023

This free online course offers CME, including ABA MOCA Patient Safety, and is composed of three modules:

  • Basics of Clinical EEG for General Anesthesia and Sedation
  • Anesthesia EEG Case Studies
  • Clinical EEG for Anesthesia Management of Elderly Patients

OA-SPA Pediatric Anesthesia Virtual Grand Rounds

JULY 3, 2023

Dr. Stephanie Schock discusses pediatric blood management and gives tips for daily practice.

Don’t Miss Your Chance at FAER Anesthesiology Research Funding – Apply for the Fall 2023 Grant Cycle Today!

JULY 3, 2023

Applications to the Foundation for Anesthesia Education and Research’s (FAER’s) Fall 2023 Grant Cycle are open through August 15, 2023! Available grants include the Mentored Research Training Grant (two years, $250,000), Research in Education Grant (two years, $100,000), and Research Fellowship Grant (one year, $75,000). Find out more, including eligibility and research areas, and apply today at FAER.org/Grants!

WCA2024 | Abstract Submissions Accepted until October 15

JULY 3, 2023

The WCA2024 is the 18th World Congress of Anaesthesiologists, taking place in Singapore from March 3-7, 2024. Connect with a global community, meet new people in the field of anaesthesia. Covering a range of topics, introducing new techniques, new types of equipment, unpublished data, to allow you to learn from thought-leaders in the industry. Early Bird Registration is open until November 30. Learn More.

Postoperative Outcomes in Elderly Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery With Preoperative Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Anesthesia & AnalgesiaMAY 30, 2023

In this month’s featured article, Au and colleagues report a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies that determine the association between preoperative cognitive impairment and dementia and postoperative adverse outcomes after cardiac surgery in older patients. Considering the growing body of evidence demonstrating the associations between cognitive impairment and adverse postoperative outcomes in older surgical patients, future research should focus on evaluating the feasibility of implementing neurocognitive screening into routine preoperative care. The cover art depicts the distinction between normal and impaired cognition and its relevance to cardiac surgery and overall health outcomes.

A&A EIC Appointed Distinguished Professor of Anesthesiology

MAY 30, 2023Jean-Francois Pittet

Jean-Francois Pittet, MD, DEAA, Editor-in-Chief of Anesthesia & Analgesia, has been named Distinguished Professor in the University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine. Please visit the following link to read more about this prestigious recognition.

June 2023 A&A Video Summary: Featured Articles

MAY 30, 2023

View this video summary covering three featured articles in the June 2023 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

Dr. Beverley A. Orser Appointed Chair of IARS Board of Trustees

MAY 30, 2023Beverley A. Orser

The International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS) is pleased to announce that Beverley A. Orser, MD, PhD, FRCPC, FRSC, has stepped into the role of Chair of the Board of Trustees as of April 2023. A long-time advocate of the IARS and its research and education programs, Dr. Orser will be the first Canadian woman to hold this position and will serve as Chair for two years.

Since 1995, when she was awarded the first Frontiers in Anesthesia Research Award (FARA) from the IARS as a promising young junior investigator, Dr. Orser has supported and worked to elevate the IARS mission to improve patient care through research and education. With the $500,000 FARA award, she was able to establish a basic science program aimed at understanding the mechanisms of general anesthetics. She credits the FARA with jump-starting her career.

Today, Dr. Orser is the Chair of the Department of Anesthesia at the University of Toronto, a Professor of Anesthesia and Physiology at the University of Toronto, Co-Director of Research in the Department of Anesthesia at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and a practicing anesthesiologist.

Her dedication to IARS began as a member three decades ago, and has flourished as she served on the Board of Trustees for the past 10 years including as Annual Meeting Program Chair and Secretary.

“I feel privileged to be able to give back to an organization that has done so much for patients and Canadians and international research,” said Dr. Orser. “Volunteering alongside the other members of the board of trustees has been one of the highlights of my career. I’ve learned so much and have been mentored and supported at every step of my journey. I am the first Canadian woman in this role, and as I see it, different perspectives will help empower our organization and strengthen our mission. Diversity has been, and will continue to be, an accelerator.”

Read more.

Early-Career Anesthesiology Scientists Gathered to Enhance Careers and Scientific Research Skill Set

MAY 30, 2023

Accomplished early-career anesthesiology scientists gathered in Washington, DC in mid-May, for an engaging meeting designed to enhance their career and scientific research skill set. The recent IARS Mentored Research Award (IMRA) recipients, Sunny Lou, MD, PhD, Katarina Ruscic, MD, PhD, and S. Kendall Smith, MD, PhD, joined their Foundation for Anesthesia Education and Research (FAER) colleagues to participate in a packed 2-day agenda, including the art of academic negotiation, a mock NIH Study Section, mid-career insights, networking and more. Attendees left inspired to take on the challenges of the next promising steps of their career!

Photos courtesy of FAER

Meeting attendees gathered for a group photo in Washington, DC.

Meeting attendees gathered for a group photo in Washington, DC.

2022 IMRA recipient Sunny Lou, MD, PhD, shares her research during the meeting.

2022 IMRA recipient Sunny Lou, MD, PhD, shares her research during the meeting.

2021 IMRA recipient S. Kendall Smith, MD, PhD, presents to attendees at the meeting.

2021 IMRA recipient S. Kendall Smith, MD, PhD, presents to attendees at the meeting.

2022 IMRA recipient Katarina Ruscic, MD, PhD, discusses her research with other attendees at the meeting.

2022 IMRA recipient Katarina Ruscic, MD, PhD, discusses her research with other attendees at the meeting.

Upcoming Webinar: Junior Faculty Success: Leadership Development Tools that Work Co-sponsored by eSAS: Early-Stage Anesthesiology Scholars
Tuesday, July 11, 2023, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm ET

MAY 30, 2023

The longstanding call for more effective leadership across medical specialties and in anesthesiology has led to exciting transformation within the world of medical education. These skills are also linked to more efficient career advancement for faculty members themselves. In this panel, we cover practical strategies to successfully envision and then structure our leadership journey, including segments on Career Visioning, Self-Awareness, and Time Management. Participants will walk away feeling energized, empowered, and engaged in making confident choices towards success!

Moderators: Mada F. Helou, MD, University Hospitals Case Medical Center and Mary J. Njoku, MD, University of Maryland

Time Management
Ayodele Oke, MD, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

Networking
George W. Williams II, MD, UT Health Houston

Career Visioning
Muhammad Jaffar, MD, Detroit Medical Center

Self-Awareness
David Stahl, MD, The Ohio State University

Register now!

Prenatal Anesthetic Exposure and Offspring Neurodevelopmental Outcomes – A Narrative Review

MAY 30, 2023

In their review of animal and clinical studies, the authors summarized the effects of prenatal anesthesia exposure (PAE) during pregnancy on long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes in offspring. Animal studies show that in utero anesthesia exposure is neurotoxic to newborns based on histomorphological changes and cognitive deficits. Regional birth cohort studies detail time intervals between intrauterine exposure and the onset of developmental outcomes over time; investigators use databases, questionnaires, and scales to screen for and diagnose neurodevelopmental disorders. These clinical research tools help to address confounding factors that may have a greater impact on neurodevelopment than prenatal anesthesia. Read more.

OpenAnesthesia – Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology

MAY 30, 2023

Dr. Ioannis K. Angelidis presents “Failed Epidural vs. Intrathecal Catheters.”

OA-SPA Ask the Expert

MAY 30, 2023

Guest Interviewer Dr. Meera Ganghadharan and Dr. Monica Vavilala discuss injury and violence prevention in children.

Early-Career Anesthesiology Investigators, Don’t Miss Your Chance: Apply for a FAER Grant Today!

MAY 30, 2023

Applications for the Foundation for Anesthesia Education and Research’s (FAER) Fall 2023 Grant Cycle are now open. Available grants this cycle include the Mentored Research Training Grant (two years, $250K)Research in Education Grant (two years, $100K), and Research Fellowship Grant (one year, $75K). A FAER grant is an excellent way to kick-start one’s research journey, with the majority of FAER-funded investigators making the leap to federal funding within five years of completing their grant. Applications for the Fall 2023 Grant Cycle are open through August 15, 2023: learn more and apply today at FAER.org/Grants!

OpenAnesthesia Global Health Equity Ask the Experts

MAY 1, 2023

Dr. Ibironke Desalu and OpenAnesthesia Editor Dr. Elizabeth Igaga discuss providing, advocating for and improving anesthetic care in Nigeria in the May 2023 episode entitled, “Never Give Up! Improving Anesthetic Care in Nigeria and Across Africa.”

OA-SPA Ask the Expert

MAY 1, 2023

Dr. Giuliana Geng-Ramos and OpenAnesthesia Editor Dr. Elisha Peterson discuss the implications of COVID-19 on pediatric preoperative evaluations.

OA-SOAP Fellows Webinar Series

MAY 1, 2023

Peter A. Mancini, MD, presents “The Missing Chapter in Obstetric Anesthesiology: Anesthesia for Complex Family Planning.”

Trauma Anesthesiology

Anesthesia & AnalgesiaAPRIL 27, 2023

Trauma anesthesia has advanced rapidly over the past three decades, with new medications and technology enabling a more effective approach to patient management in the trauma bay and operating room. The concept of hemostatic resuscitation incorporates controlled hypotension, limited crystalloid administration, balanced delivery of blood products, and early support of the coagulation system. This month’s cover art, based on the featured narrative review article by Tanaka et al, depicts the advances which have made hemostatic resuscitation possible, including a better understanding of the mechanisms of coagulation and fibrinolysis after trauma, the role of specific factors, and the value of real-time monitoring with viscoelastic testing.

May 2023 A&A Video Summary: Featured Articles

APRIL 27, 2023

View this video summary covering three featured articles in the May 2023 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

Announcing Three New IARS Trustees

APRIL 27, 2023

The IARS is thrilled to announce the appointment of three new Trustees to its Board. Bringing an impressive wealth of knowledge and expertise in anesthesia research, publishing and education, these new Trustees Meredith Adams, MD, MS, FASA, FAMIA, Duminda N. Wijeysundera, MD, PhD, FRCPC, FAHA, and Alexander Zarbock, MD, PhD, will play a vital role in the IARS mission to advance anesthesia education and research through discovery.

Please join us in welcoming Drs. Adams, Wijeysundera and Zarbock to the IARS Board of Trustees.

Dr. Meredith Adams

Read an Interview with Dr. Meredith Adams

An Associate Professor of Anesthesiology, Biomedical Informatics, and Public Health Sciences at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Dr. Adams aspires to bring her passion, depth of knowledge and diverse experiences to the position and amplify the vision of IARS to advance and support education and scientific discovery in anesthesiology and beyond.

D Wijeysundera

Read an Interview with Dr. Duminda N. Wijeysundera

As a Professor in both the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Institute for Health Policy, Management and Evaluation at the University of Toronto, Dr. Wijeysundera is dedicated to developing and mentoring the next generation of collaborative, highly trained and successful anesthesiologist researchers, instilling in each one his commitment to pay it forward.

Dr. Alexander Zarbock

Read an Interview with Dr. Alexander Zarbock

As Chair of the Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care Medicine and Pain Therapy at the University Hospital Münster in Germany and with his dedication to critical care and research excellence, Dr. Zarbock is uniquely positioned to make a significant contribution to the organization’s mission to support education and research through discovery.

Physician Executive Announcement

APRIL 27, 2023

Santhanam SureshThe International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS) is pleased to announce the appointment of Santhanam Suresh, MD, MBA, to the newly-created position of Physician Executive, effective May 1. The Physician Executive will work collaboratively with the current administrative staff and Board of Trustees to advance the mission and strategic plan of the IARS.

The IARS Executive Director will continue to have responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Society. The Executive Director has historically possessed association management experience, but has not come from within the anesthesiology specialty or have clinical or research training. The IARS Board has decided that the organization would benefit from a dyad leadership, with a Physician Executive, who would lead and advise on issues pertaining to the IARS mission with a primary or a partial component related to scientific research or academic anesthesiology. The Physician Executive will partner closely with the Executive Director in the staff leadership of the IARS.

Dr. Suresh has extensive society leadership experience and is well-known within the anesthesia community. He recently completed a 12-year term on the IARS Board of Trustees, including service as Chair of the Annual Meeting Oversight Committee, CME Chair, Chair of the IARS-FDA SmartTots Task Force, Board Liaison to the Anesthesia & Analgesia Journal, Chair of the A&A Editor-in-Chief Search Committee, and Chair of the Board. He has also served as a Director and President of the ABA, member of the Anesthesia Review Committee for the ACGME, member of the SPA and ASRA Boards of Directors, and Chair of the annual meetings of the ASA, SPA and IARS.

Upcoming Webinar: Fixing Hemodynamic Instability: Problems and Solutions, co-sponsored by the APSF, Tuesday, May 9, 2023, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm ET

APRIL 27, 2023

Hemodynamic stability is common, known to cause harm, yet despite widespread knowledge of this, there is still a gap in treating patients to minimize the risk. This session aims to provide an overview of the issues and explores some fixes at a bedside and system level.

Moderator: Daniel J. Cole, MD, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA

Strategies to Help Identify and Fix the Problem
Michael Scott, MB ChB, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

Outlining the Problem
M. Alparslan Turan, MD, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH

When is the Patient Most at Risk?
Matthew McEvoy, MD, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN

Using Technology: Bedside and System Based
Allison Mary Janda, MD, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

Register now!

Continue Conversations Started at the IARS Annual Meeting in the Online Member Community

APRIL 27, 2023

Registrants of the IARS 2023 Annual Meeting can still continue discussions with colleagues in the Online Member Community in DocMatter now that the meeting has concluded. Additionally, speakers from select sessions will also be available for further questions and discussions. Give feedback, engage with peers and get important questions answered. Join discussions in the Online Member Community today!

Applications for this IARS-sponsored Conference Must Be Submitted by May 14!

APRIL 27, 2023

The Consciousness, Anesthesia and Evolutionary Biology Gordon Research Conference is a premier, international scientific conference focused on advancing the frontiers of science through the presentation of cutting-edge and unpublished research, prioritizing time for discussion after each talk and fostering informal interactions among scientists of all career stages. The conference program includes a diverse range of speakers and discussion leaders from institutions and organizations worldwide, concentrating on the latest developments in the field. The conference is five days long and held in a remote location to increase the sense of camaraderie and create scientific communities, with lasting collaborations and friendships. In addition to premier talks, the conference has designated time for poster sessions from individuals of all career stages, and afternoon free time and communal meals allow for informal networking opportunities with leaders in the field.

View More Information and Register Today!

TREX Trial Milestone – Enrollment is Complete!

APRIL 27, 2023

Pediatric anesthetic neurotoxicity has been a concern of clinicians and investigators for more than 20 years. Hundreds of preclinical studies and dozens of clinical studies including PANDA, GAS, and MASK have been undertaken during this time. Results have been mixed. The TREX (ToxicityRemifentanil DEXmedetomidine) trial began in 2017 and set out to study prolonged anesthetic exposure effects and address an important data gap – whether a dexmedetomidine-based anesthetic is associated with better neurodevelopmental outcomes. The study is a Phase III, randomized, active controlled, parallel group, blinded evaluator, multicenter, multinational, superiority trial comparing neurological outcome after standard sevoflurane anesthesia with dexmedetomidine/remifentanil, and low dose sevoflurane anesthesia in children aged younger than 2 years undergoing anesthesia of 2 hours or longer. There are a total of 20 sites enrolling patients: 7 in Australia, 5 in the US and 8 in Italy with a variety of surgeries being studied at each site. The TREX Trial Investigators recently met a major milestone, the completion of enrollment of the 450 trial subjects. The study subjects will return at age 3 years for a battery of neuropsychological testing, including general intelligence, language, fine and gross motor skills, behavioral testing and parent behavioral questionnaires. Once complete in the next 2-3 years, the TREX Trial will make an important contribution to the knowledge about the effects of anesthesia in infants and young children; an issue that potentially affects millions of children globally who undergo anesthesia and surgery each year.

Labor Epidural Analgesia and Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorders in Offspring: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

APRIL 27, 2023

What is the effect of labor epidural anesthesia (LEA) on the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in offspring? Why are results of recent investigations inconsistent?  To explore, the authors searched national databases for relevant studies, completed a systematic literature review, and performed a meta-analysis.  They conducted subgroup analyses and created estimates of relative risk using fixed and random effects models. Results showed that LEA associated with an increased risk of ASD in offspring after combining crude estimates from various studies. This association gradually diminished but remained statistically significant when potential confounding factors were considered. There was no significant association when combining data for siblings from other pregnancies. Investigators concluded that unmeasured confounding factors partially explain the statistically significant association between LEA and ASD. Read more.

WCA2024 | Abstract Submissions Open 4 May

APRIL 27, 2023

The WCA2024 is the 18th World Congress of Anaesthesiologists, taking place in Singapore from 3 – 7 March 2024. Connect with a global community, meet new people in the field of anaesthesia. Covering a range of topics, introducing new techniques, new types of equipment, unpublished data, to allow you to learn from thought-leaders in the industry. Abstract submissions and Early Bird Registration opens on the 4th May. Learn More.

Applications Open June 1: Early-career Investigators, Don’t Miss Out on these Funding Opportunities!

APRIL 27, 2023

The Foundation for Anesthesia Education and Research (FAER) will accept applications for its Fall Grant Cycle between June 1 and August 15, 2023. Grants available this cycle include the Mentored Research Training Grant (two years, $250K)Research in Education Grant (two years, $100K), and Research Fellowship Grant (one year, $75K). FAER funding can prove incredibly beneficial to paving the way for an early-career investigator’s success. The majority of FAER-funded researchers make the leap to federal funding within five years of completing their FAER grant. For more information and to apply, visit FAER.org/Grants!

Innovations in Practices and Technologies That Will Shape Perioperative Medicine

Anesthesia & AnalgesiaAPRIL 3, 2023

This month’s “high-impact bundle” consists of articles addressing various aspects of Perioperative Medicine. Perioperative Medicine is a rapidly evolving specialty which emphasizes the importance of an integrated, planned and personalized approach to patient care before, during and after any surgical procedure involving anesthesia. These articles discuss the value of defining and standardizing outcomes after surgery, implementing principles of narrative medicine and shared decision-making in perioperative care, using perioperative medicine as a platform for advocating public health, exploring the role of innovative technologies, utilizing wearable biosensors and artificial intelligence.

Journal CME Now Available on OpenAnesthesia360

APRIL 3, 2023

The IARS is pleased to announce that OpenAnesthesia360 Continuing Medical Education (OA360-CME), the IARS Learning Management System (LMS) for webinar and Annual Meeting CME, will begin hosting our journal-based CME for Anesthesia & Analgesia as well.

Starting with the March issue of the journal, IARS members will select an article’s “CME” button from the journal website as usual and then log into their IARS member account (if not already logged in). Once logged in, members will be taken to the new Journal CME page in our Virtual Education Library. This page lists the link to each journal-based CME activity on OA360-CME.

Select the “Click here…” link under the article for which you wish to earn CME and you’ll be directed to the activity on OA360-CME. For more information regarding participating in journal-based CME on OA360-CME, we have created a First-Time User Guide that details the process. For questions or concerns, please contact us at [email protected].

April 2023 A&A Video Summary: Featured Articles

APRIL 3, 2023

View this video summary covering three featured articles in the April 2023 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

Advance Your Career and the Specialty!
1 Month Left to Apply for 2023 IARS Mentored Research Awards!

APRIL 3, 2023

There is only one month more to apply for the 2023 IARS Mentored Research Awards (IMRA) through April 30, 2023! For more than 100 years, the core mission of the International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS) has been to encourage, stimulate, and support anesthesia-related research projects that will improve patient care and advance the specialty. IARS established its Mentored Research Awards to help create future leaders and prepare applicants to obtain independent research funding. Up to four research projects will be selected in 2023, each with a maximum award of $175,000 payable over two years. IMRA applications may be in any area of investigation (clinical, translational, basic science), but must have ultimate relevance to the broad practice of anesthesiology and its subspecialties.

To learn more and view past successful IMRA research endeavors, visit iars.org/awards/IMRA.

It’s Not Too Late to Register for the 2023 Annual Meetings in Denver, Colorado!

APRIL 3, 2023

Join thought leaders in anesthesiology and your colleagues for meaningful networking, scientific exchanges and quality education at the IARS, AUA and SOCCA 2023 Annual Meetings, April 13-16, in Denver, CO.

Can’t join us in person? Register for virtual access to live-streamed sessions from Denver and on demand recordings after the meeting.

View the full programs and plan your schedule now.

Discover Key IARS Session and Poster Presentation Previews for the IARS 2023 Annual Meeting

APRIL 3, 2023

Check out highlighted sessions that will be live streamed and available in person during the IARS 2023 Annual Meeting in Denver, CO. Also, gain insights from abstract presenters and previous IARS awardees on their forward-thinking anesthesia research presented at the meeting.

Register onsite to join these sessions virtually or in person and be sure to read interviews with these IARS abstract presenters in The Daily Dose!

Continue Conversations in the Online Member Community

APRIL 3, 2023

Registrants of the IARS 2023 Annual Meeting can continue discussions with colleagues in the Online Member Community in DocMatter. Additionally, speakers from select sessions will also be available for further questions and discussions. Give feedback, engage with peers and get important questions answered! Join discussions in the Online Member Community today!

Applications for this IARS-sponsored Conference Must Be Submitted by May 14!

APRIL 3, 2023

The Consciousness, Anesthesia and Evolutionary Biology Gordon Research Conference is a premier, international scientific conference focused on advancing the frontiers of science through the presentation of cutting-edge and unpublished research, prioritizing time for discussion after each talk and fostering informal interactions among scientists of all career stages. The conference program includes a diverse range of speakers and discussion leaders from institutions and organizations worldwide, concentrating on the latest developments in the field. The conference is five days long and held in a remote location to increase the sense of camaraderie and create scientific communities, with lasting collaborations and friendships. In addition to premier talks, the conference has designated time for poster sessions from individuals of all career stages, and afternoon free time and communal meals allow for informal networking opportunities with leaders in the field.

View More Information and Register Today!

Stay in Tune with Anesthesia Community Activities on the Events Calendar

APRIL 3, 2023

View meetings and events from the IARS and the anesthesia community on the Anesthesia Community Events Calendar. If you have a meeting or event you would like to include on this calendar, email [email protected]. Please include the date, time, location and website URL for the meeting or event.

View Recordings from IARS Virtual Education

APRIL 3, 2023

Now available for IARS full members! Explore webinars from 2021 and 2022 and claim CME credits. IARS full members can view the recordings here.

Now Available! Watch Annual Meeting Session Videos

APRIL 3, 2023

Session recordings from the IARS 2022 Annual Meeting are now available to IARS members. IARS members can also claim CME credit from the 2021 and 2022 Annual Meetings.

Justification of Empiric Methodology to Determine Dexmedetomidine Dose for the TREX Study

APRIL 3, 2023

This study seeks to determine the appropriate target concentration of dexmedetomidine (DEX) in combination with remifentanil (RFT) and low dose sevoflurane for pediatric sedation. The authors describe results from the Italian arm of the TREX (Trial Remifentanil DExmedetomidine) Phase III clinical trial in children < 2 years having ≥ 2 hours of anesthesia. Findings show that 1) plasma concentrations of DEX are predictable based on the infant’s age and size; 2) the trial’s initial DEX concentration of 0.6 μg.L-1 is inadequate; and 3) a higher loading dose of 1.0 μg.kg−1 followed by a 1.0 μg.kg−1.h−1 infusion is adequate. Read more.

Check Out Our More than 100 New OA Summaries

APRIL 3, 2023

OpenAnesthesia® Summaries are mini-reviews on high-yield topics in anesthesiology, critical care and perioperative medicine.

OA-SPA Ask the Expert:

APRIL 3, 2023

Dr. Melissa Coleman and OpenAnesthesia Editor Dr. Aditee Ambardekar discuss historical perspectives in anesthesia and their role in education.

IARS Appoints Successor Editor-in-Chief of Anesthesia & Analgesia

MARCH 31, 2023

Jaideep Pandit Photo

Professor Jaideep J. Pandit
A&A’s Eighth Editor-in-Chief

The International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS) is delighted to announce the appointment of Jaideep J. Pandit, Professor of Anaesthesia, University of Oxford, as the next Editor-in-Chief of Anesthesia & Analgesia (A&A) and its companion journal, A&A PracticeA&A is the longest running anesthesia publication in the world, in its 101st year of publication. Professor Pandit becomes the 8th Editor-in-Chief, succeeding current Editor-in-Chief Jean-Francois Pittet. He is the first A&A Editor-in-Chief based outside the United States to lead this prestigious journal. Jaideep is a Fellow of St John’s College, Oxford and Consultant Anaesthetist at Oxford University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, where he serves as Clinical Director of Operating Theatres.

OA-SPA Ask the Experts:

MARCH 1, 2023

Dr. James Xie and OpenAnesthesia® Editor Dr. Jina Sinskey discuss the Cures Act and transparency in medicine.

OA-Global Health Equity Ask the Experts:

MARCH 1, 2023

Drs. Elizabeth Drum and Sam Percy discuss Dr. Drum’s journey toward a career committed to global health and health equity and the work of the ASA Committee on Global Health.

Proteomics for the Discovery of Clinical Delirium Biomarkers: A Systematic Review of Major Studies

Anesthesia & AnalgesiaFEBRUARY 28, 2023

This month’s featured article sifts through the past half-decade of biomarker discovery research to find, review, and summarize efforts to identify candidate protein biomarkers of delirium, a significant burden on our healthcare system and a source of increased mortality and functional impairment for over two million elderly Americans each year.

March 2023 A&A Video Summary: Featured Articles

FEBRUARY 28, 2023

View this video summary covering three featured articles in the March 2023 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

Journal CME Now Available on OpenAnesthesia360

FEBRUARY 28, 2023

The IARS is pleased to announce that OpenAnesthesia360 Continuing Medical Education (OA360-CME), the IARS Learning Management System (LMS) for webinar and Annual Meeting CME, will begin hosting our journal-based CME for Anesthesia & Analgesia as well.

Starting with the March issue of the journal, IARS members will select an article’s “CME” button from the journal website as usual and then log into their IARS member account (if not already logged in). Once logged in, members will be taken to the new Journal CME page in our Virtual Education Library. This page lists the link to each journal-based CME activity on OA360-CME.

Select the “Click here…” link under the article for which you wish to earn CME and you’ll be directed to the activity on OA360-CME. For more information regarding participating in journal-based CME on OA360-CME, we have created a First-Time User Guide that details the process. For questions or concerns, please contact us at [email protected].

Advance Your Career and the Specialty!
Don’t Miss the Opportunity to Apply for 2023 IARS Mentored Research Awards!

FEBRUARY 28, 2023

Applications are now being accepted for the 2023 IARS Mentored Research Awards (IMRA) through April 30, 2023! For more than 100 years, the core mission of the International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS) has been to encourage, stimulate, and support anesthesia-related research projects that will improve patient care and advance the specialty. IARS established its Mentored Research Awards to help create future leaders and prepare applicants to obtain independent research funding. Up to four research projects will be selected in 2023, each with a maximum award of $175,000 payable over two years. IMRA applications may be in any area of investigation (clinical, translational, basic science), but must have ultimate relevance to the broad practice of anesthesiology and its subspecialties.

To learn more and view past successful IMRA research endeavors, visit iars.org/awards/IMRA.

Register by March 20 to Take Advantage of Advance Rates for the 2023 Annual Meetings in Denver, Colorado!

FEBRUARY 28, 2023

Join thought leaders in anesthesiology and your colleagues for meaningful networking, scientific exchanges and quality education at the IARS, AUA and SOCCA 2023 Annual Meetings, April 13-16, in Denver, CO.

IMPORTANT DATES & DEADLINES

Sign up to receive Annual Meeting News!

More details are available at https://meetings.iars.org.

Register by May 14 for the IARS-sponsored Gordon Research Conference on Anesthetic Insights into the Unconscious State Across Species!

FEBRUARY 28, 2023

Join a diverse range of speakers and discussion leaders from institutions and organizations worldwide for the Consciousness, Anesthesia and Evolutionary Biology Gordon Research Conference: Anesthetic Insights into the Unconscious State Across Species, June 11-16, 2023, in Easton, MA. Applications for this meeting must be submitted by May 14, 2023. Led by Chair, IARS Journal Liaison and Trustee Max Kelz, MD, PhD, and Vice Chair Ken Solt, MD, thought leaders will cover topics including the genesis of consciousness, anesthetic hypnosis and sleep, consciousness and model organisms and anesthetic effects on such organisms and more.

This premier, international scientific conference prioritizes time for discussion after each talk and fostering informal interactions among scientists of all career stages and focuses on advancing the frontiers of science through the presentation of leading-edge and unpublished research. To promote a sense of camaraderie and create scientific communities, this conference is held in a remote location over 5 days. Additionally, this educational event includes poster sessions from individuals of all career stages, and afternoon free time and communal meals, providing informal networking opportunities with leaders in the field. View the full program and apply to attend today!

Risk of Neurotoxicity with Multiple General Anaesthetics for Examination Under Anaesthesia in Paediatric Ophthalmology – A Cause for Concern?

FEBRUARY 28, 2023

A 4-year retrospective analysis of electronic medical records examines the effect of a new, patient-centered, “active minimisation” policy aimed at reducing multiple Examinations Under Anesthesia (EUAs) for pediatric ophthalmic procedures in a Dublin children’s hospital. Findings show EUAs in 32% of all surgical episodes in the first two years of the study and before policy implementation vs.19% in the last two years of the study and after policy implementation. With emphasis on “training, technology, and patience,” active minimisation strategies significantly reduce diagnostic EUA volume, lower patient risk, and increase capacity for surgical interventions. Read more.

OpenAnesthesia® Relaunch with New Design and Content

FEBRUARY 28, 2023

The IARS and the OpenAnesthesia® Editorial Board are pleased to announce a redesigned site with more than 75 new in-depth summaries on the most searched-for content. Visit the site today!

Advance Your Career and the Specialty! Now Accepting Applications for 2023 IARS Mentored Research Awards!

FEBRUARY 1, 2023

Applications are now being accepted for the 2023 IARS Mentored Research Awards (IMRA) through April 30, 2023! For more than 100 years, the core mission of the International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS) has been to encourage, stimulate, and support anesthesia-related research projects that will improve patient care and advance the specialty. IARS established its Mentored Research Awards to help create future leaders and prepare applicants to obtain independent research funding. Up to four research projects will be selected in 2023, each with a maximum award of $175,000 payable over two years. IMRA applications may be in any area of investigation (clinical, translational, basic science), but must have ultimate relevance to the broad practice of anesthesiology and its subspecialties.

To learn more and view past successful IMRA research endeavors, visit iars.org/awards/IMRA.

IARS Board Chair Dr. Suresh Receives ASRA’s Prestigious Gaston Labat Award

JANUARY 24, 2023

Santhanam SureshIARS Board Chair Santhanam Suresh, MD, MBA, FAAP, FASA, has been recognized with the 2023 Gaston Labat Award and lectureship by the American Society of Regional Anesthesia (ASRA). This annual award honors the pioneering work in regional anesthesia of Gaston P. Labat, the first president of ASRA in 1923.

Nominated by his colleague and 2020 Gaston Labat Awardee, Guy Weinberg, MD, at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Dr. Suresh was honored for his significant contributions to advance the specialty of regional anesthesia. “It’s hard to quantify or even imagine the suffering he has prevented locally and around the world by his years of continuous and determined effort to spread the benefits of regional anesthesia among children having surgery,” Dr. Weinberg extolled.

Dr. Suresh will accept this prestigious award during the 48th Annual Regional Anesthesiology and Acute Pain Medicine Meeting, April 20-22, 2023, in Hollywood, FL. Read more.

Preoperative Identification of Patient-Dependent Blood Pressure Targets Associated With Low Risk of Intraoperative Hypotension During Noncardiac Surgery

Anesthesia & AnalgesiaJANUARY 24, 2023

Severe hypotension during anesthesia can stem from multiple causes and can result in significant morbidity. Our current ability to accurately predict which patients harbor risk factors for severe hypotension under general anesthesia is at best an educated intuition. The cover image for this month’s feature article reflects this uncertainty. Specifically, is there a blood pressure threshold under anesthesia that portends subsequent, severe hypotension? Authors in this issue give us a glimpse into the future of predictive modeling for such risks. Artificial intelligence has the capacity to serve as the next best thing to a crystal ball; however, it still remains in its infancy, and time will surely dictate its true potential.

February 2023 A&A Video Summary: Featured Articles

JANUARY 24, 2023

View this video summary covering three featured articles in the February 2023 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

Anesthesia and Developing Brain: What Have We Learned from Recent Studies

JANUARY 24, 2023

In their review, the authors summarize progress in clinical and preclinical studies that provides new approaches and therapeutic targets for protecting the developing brain from anesthesia-induced neurotoxicity (AIN). Clinical studies in children often focus on the effects of single and multiple exposures to anesthesia. Current preclinical studies often look for mechanisms of AIN. Whether observed mechanisms on neurotoxicity in rodents translate to human subjects remains unclear. One alternative research approach is to combine single-cell sequencing technologies to screen for differential gene expression in non-human primates — because they are more genetically similar to humans than rodents–followed by in vivo validation in rodents. Read more.

Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center Accepting Applications for HEAL K12

JANUARY 24, 2023

The Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center at the University of Michigan is requesting applications for the HEAL National K12 Clinical Pain Career Development Award (HEAL K12). The HEAL K12 is a mentored career development program designed to provide protected time for clinicians and scientists to focus on training and conducting clinical pain research. Awards provide a minimum of 75% salary support (up to $100,000/year) plus fringe benefits, and $50,000/year in research support costs, for up to 3 years.

Successful applicants will have at least (3) mentors: a primary home-institution mentor, a senior pain research mentor of national stature assigned by the K12 program, and a mentor with lived pain experience (also assigned by the K12 program). Training is split between the scholar’s home-institution and didactic resources available remotely or in-person at the University of Michigan. Annual travel to the 3-day NIH PURPOSE Conference on Pain Education and to the two-day Ann Arbor Summer Pain Short Course is expected. Application deadline is March 1, 2023.

To learn more about the award and how to apply, use the following links:

Additional questions about this training opportunity can be sent to [email protected].

OpenAnesthesia®-Society for Pediatric Anesthesia Ask the Expert Podcast

JANUARY 24, 2023

View the reposted September 2018 episode with Dr. Adrian T. Bosenberg and OpenAnesthesia® Editor Dr. Faith Ross, who discussed the topic of pediatric regional anesthesia. In the upcoming February 2023 episode, this topic will be revisited by OpenAnesthesia® Associate Editor, Dr. Elisha Peterson, who will interview Dr. Tricia Vecchione on this topic.

Gender Gap: A Qualitative Study of Women and Leadership Acquisition in Anesthesiology

DECEMBER 21, 2022

Anesthesia & AnalgesiaThis month’s cover art is modified from J. Howard Miller’s original 1942 painting, which became symbolic of the empowerment of women during World War II. It is accordingly appropriated to reflect the advance of women physicians in leadership roles in academic medicine and healthcare. In this month’s issue, the journal explores the profile and characteristics of noteworthy women anesthesiologists who have navigated the world of academic medicine to achieve successful leadership roles. The articles contained herein are meant to inspire as much as spotlight the considerable work that lies ahead in achieving gender equality in healthcare leadership.

A&A Social Media

DECEMBER 21, 2022

Drs. Jarna Shah and Emily Sharpe, Anesthesia & Analgesia’s Social Media Editors, have assembled a team of Social Media Ambassadors to help promote articles and related materials published both in the Journal and on the Journal website via Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.

The list of Social Media Ambassadors can be found on A&A’s Editorial Board page.

January 2023 A&A Video Summary: Featured Articles

DECEMBER 21, 2022

View this video summary covering three featured articles in the January 2023 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

Save the Date for the 2023 Annual Meetings in Denver, Colorado!

DECEMBER 21, 2022

Save the date for the IARS, AUA and SOCCA 2023 Annual Meetings, April 13-17, in Denver, CO.

IMPORTANT DATES & DEADLINES

Sign up to receive Annual Meeting News!

More details are available at https://meetings.iars.org.

View Recordings from IARS Virtual Education

DECEMBER 21, 2022

Now available for IARS full members! Explore webinars from 2021 and 2022 and claim CME credits. IARS full members can view the recordings here.

OpenAnesthesia®-Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology Fellows Webinar

DECEMBER 21, 2022

Jacqueline M. Galvan, MD, presents “Breakthrough Maternal Pain: Can We Do Better?” in the latest OA-SOAP Fellows Webinar.

Improving Preclinical Development of Novel Interventions to Treat Pain: Insanity Is Doing the Same Thing Over and Over and Expecting Different Results

NOVEMBER 28, 2022

Anesthesia & AnalgesiaThis month’s featured cover article considers the historical trajectory of clinical pharmacology in the domain of chronic pain management. It is recognized that patients are largely served with the same medication classes developed in a bygone era. Why the stagnation? A variety of mechanisms are highlighted that attempt to answer this question.

New A&A Thematic Issue: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Anesthesiology

NOVEMBER 28, 2022

Anesthesia & Analgesia will publish a new thematic issue, “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Anesthesiology,” in the October 2023 issue of the Journal. The issue’s guest editors are Paloma Toledo, MD, MPH, Crystal Wright, MD, and Thomas Vetter, MD, MPH. Learn more about the open call for papers for this issue.

December 2022 A&A Video Summary: Featured Articles

NOVEMBER 28, 2022

View this video summary covering three featured articles in the December 2022 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

Save the Date for the 2023 Annual Meetings in Denver, Colorado!

NOVEMBER 28, 2022

Save the date for the IARS, AUA and SOCCA 2023 Annual Meetings, April 13-17, in Denver, CO.

IMPORTANT DATES & DEADLINES

Sign up to receive Annual Meeting News!

More details are available at https://meetings.iars.org.

Webinar: Perioperative Brain Health – Insights from Young Investigators on Tuesday, December 13, 2022 at 4:00 pm ET

NOVEMBER 28, 2022

Perioperative neurologic complications are common but poorly understood. Come learn what four early-stage anesthesiologist-investigators are discovering about why patients experience “brain failure” around the time of surgery and what we can do to prevent it. Join young investigators Bradley A. Fritz, MD, MSCI, Mitra Heshmati, MD, PhD, Kathryn R. Rosenblatt, MD, MHS, Michael J. Devinney, Jr., MD, PhD, and S. Kendall Smith, MD, PhD to discuss this important topic!

Register today!

General Anesthesia in Children and Long-Term Neurodevelopmental Deficits: A Systematic Review

NOVEMBER 28, 2022

Do general anesthetic (GA) agents commonly used in children produce negative neurocognitive outcomes? The authors conduct a comprehensive literature search for studies that describe long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes in children <18 years with single or multiple exposures to GA. The search yields 72 clinical studies including 58 retrospective studies. Findings in 2/3 (48) of studies show evidence of neurocognitive effects after GA exposure. While most studies in children < 7 years describe adverse neurocognitive effects after GA exposure, not all studies actually report that younger children are at greater risk than older children for GA-induced neurocognitive deficits. Limiting the duration, number, and dose of anesthetic agents is important. Read more.

OpenAnesthesia®-Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology Fellows Webinar

NOVEMBER 28, 2022

Andrea J. Trainer, MD, presents “Postpartum Tubal Ligation” in the latest OA-SOAP Fellows Webinar.

OA-SPA Ask the Expert

NOVEMBER 28, 2022

Dr. Elizabeth Hansen and OpenAnesthesia® Editor Dr. Aditee Ambardekar discuss the topic of sustainability in anesthesia.

IARS Chair and Immediate Past Chair Present at Japan Society of Clinical Anesthesia 42nd Annual Conference

NOVEMBER 16, 2022

International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS) Chair Dr. Santhanam Suresh, MD, MBA, FASA, FAAP and Immediate Past Chair Christian Werner, MD connected with international leaders in clinical anesthesia during the Japan Society of Clinical Anesthesia (JSCA) 42nd Annual Conference, held November 11-12, at the Kyoto International Conference Center in Kyoto, Japan. Contributing to the lively exchange of ideas and collaboration across countries at the Annual Conference, Drs. Suresh and Werner shared their expertise during the IARS Kosaka Award Commemorative Symposium on November 12. Read more.

The Next New Wave: How Critical Care Might Learn from COVID in Responding to the Next Pandemic

OCTOBER 25, 2022

Anesthesia & AnalgesiaThis month’s cover article contains several perspectives on the critical care anesthesiology response to the COVID pandemic. The focus of the article is not on the response per se, as much has already been written, but rather on what COVID has taught us that might improve our response to the next pandemic. In the article, 6 SOCCA members who each contributed to the COVID response in different ways provide a set of diverse viewpoints on what they learned from their experience. The perspectives range from organizational to innovative and highlight the many different contributions of critical care intensivists to the COVID effort.

November 2022 A&A Video Summary: Featured Articles

OCTOBER 25, 2022

View this video summary covering three featured articles in the November 2022 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

Save the Date for the 2023 Annual Meetings in Denver, Colorado!

OCTOBER 25, 2022

Save the date for the IARS, AUA and SOCCA 2023 Annual Meetings, April 13-17, in Denver, CO.

IMPORTANT DATES & DEADLINES

Sign up to receive Annual Meeting News!

More details are available at https://meetings.iars.org.

Now Available! Watch Annual Meeting Session Videos

OCTOBER 25, 2022

Session recordings from the IARS 2022 Annual Meeting are now available to IARS members. IARS members can also claim CME credit from the 2021 and 2022 Annual Meetings.

Webinar: “Is less Really More for the Brain in the ICU” on Tuesday, November 8, 2022, 4:00 pm ET

OCTOBER 25, 2022

Approximately one-third of ICU survivors will experience significant cognitive impairment, including newly acquired dementias. Functional, psychiatric, and chronic pain symptoms also drive worse quality of life in critical illness survivors. Post-ICU survivorship is now a focus of clinical management and critical care research. Join Christopher Hughes, MD, MS, FCCM, Michael Devinney, MD, PhD, Christina Boncyk, MD, and Christina Hayhurst, MD, to discuss current evidence regarding a less-is-more approach to the brain in critically ill patients and its impact on long-term survivorship.

Register today! Plus, view our full 2022 webinar schedule: https://iars.org/iars-webinar-series/.

Maternal use of acetaminophen during pregnancy and neurobehavioral problems in offspring at 3 years: A prospective cohort study

OCTOBER 25, 2022

Using data from the First Baby Study, a prospective cohort study conducted in Pennsylvania, USA, with 2,423 mother-child pairs, this study examined the associations between prenatal acetaminophen exposure and offspring neurobehavioral problems at the age of 3 years, with a focus on the potentially confounding effects of prenatal stress.  After adjustment for prenatal stress and other confounders, findings show that children who were exposed to acetaminophen during pregnancy scored significantly higher on 2 of the 7 syndrome scale scores from the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL): sleep problems and attention problems.  Read more.

OpenAnesthesia®-Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology Fellows Webinar

OCTOBER 25, 2022

Jake Hirschberg, MD presents “Trauma in Pregnancy for the Nonobstetric Provider” in the latest OA-SOAP Fellows Webinar.

NIDUS Pilots and Exploratory Core Offer Two Pilot Grants for $40,000 each

OCTOBER 13, 2022

Beginning in 2022, the NIDUS II Pilots and Exploratory Core will award two pilot grants in the amount of $40,000 each. These grants are designed to provide funding for investigation into prioritized areas of delirium research to advance innovation. Letters of Intent must be submitted by Wednesday, December 7, 2022 at 5:00 pm EST. For full requirements, criteria, and application instructions, visit deliriumnetwork.org/pilots.

ASA Speakers Banner
OCTOBER 17, 2022

Many of the IARS Board of Trustees and Anesthesia & Analgesia and A&A Practice Editors are coming to the Anesthesiology Annual Meeting, October 21-25, 2022 in New Orleans, LA. Take the opportunity to engage with these leaders and discover the latest takeaways on important topics in anesthesiology and beyond. Plus, be sure to join IARS for two special sessions at the meeting. Find out more.

Systems Anesthesiology: Integrating Insights From Diverse Disciplines to Improve Perioperative Care

Anesthesia & AnalgesiaOCTOBER 3, 2022

This month’s featured article defines a future frontier for critical care and perioperative medicine: “systems anesthesiology.” This dynamic approach to patient care incorporates emerging methods and information from the diverse disciplines of molecular, cellular, and computational sciences. We highlight the utilization of novel molecular markers for disease diagnosis and phenotyping, the incorporation of predictive models for perioperative risk stratification, and the extended reach of anesthesiologist-intensivists using virtual care and remote continuous monitoring.

October 2022 A&A Video Summary: Featured Articles

OCTOBER 3, 2022

View this video summary covering three featured articles in the October 2022 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

Webinar: “So, Doc, I hear anesthesia is bad for my brain:” Translating Research into Shared Decision-Making and Better Care for Older Patients Concerned about Postoperative Neurocognitive Disorders on Tuesday, October 11, 2022 at 4:00 pm ET 
OCTOBER 3, 2022

Older adults worry about cognitive outcomes after surgery, but anesthesiologists may be uncomfortable with how exactly to discuss these risks with a concerned patient. Join our expert panel, Drs. Miles Berger, Odmara Barreto Chang, Elizabeth Whitlock and Stacie Deiner, for a webinar tailored to facilitate provider-patient conversations about the real implications of postoperative neurocognitive disorders (PND) in older adults planning to undergo surgery. Armed with this knowledge, providers will confront questions about PND with up-to-date patient-focused information, and will identify opportunities to align care with best practices.

Register today! Plus, view our full 2022 webinar schedule: https://iars.org/iars-webinar-series/.

100 Years of Pediatric Anesthesia with Anesthesia & Analgesia: Growing Together 

OCTOBER 3, 2022

The authors discuss the pivotal roles of both Anesthesia & Analgesia (A&A) and the International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS) in the evolution of the pediatric anesthesiology subspecialty with emphasis on scholarship, clinical practice, and professionalism. A&A has been a distinguished resource on pediatric fundamentals in general anesthesia and on complex cases performed by pediatric anesthesiologists; it is a forum for the subspecialty as it matures. IARS has addressed important questions in modern anesthesiology practice, as reflected in the founding of SmartTots to foster research on the neurodevelopmental effects of anesthesia in children. Read more.

OpenAnesthesia®-Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology Fellows Webinar

OCTOBER 3, 2022

Dr. Brad Bavarro presents “Simulation in Obstetric Anesthesia” in the latest OA-SOAP Fellows Webinar.

OA-SPA Ask the Expert

OCTOBER 3, 2022

Dr. Titi Aina and OpenAnesthesia® Editor Dr. Elisha Peterson discuss global health in anesthesia.

Women in Medicine Header 2022

Happy Women in Medicine Month!

SEPTEMBER 22, 2022

IARS gratefully acknowledges the women of anesthesia! The women highlighted represent just a few of the many remarkable women with whom we are fortunate to collaborate. They guide and enrich our educational programs, research efforts and provide mentorship to those who follow. IARS is proud to encourage and support women in medicine along their important journey by ensuring access to a multitude of valuable resources and opportunities for connection with experts in the field of anesthesiology and beyond! Learn more.

Patient Blood Management Is a New Standard of Care to Optimize Blood Health

Anesthesia & AnalgesiaSEPTEMBER 2, 2022

The focus of this special themed issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia is Patient Blood Management (PBM). PBM is a new global standard of care to optimize a patient’s blood health. PBM involves the timely, multidisciplinary application of evidence-based multimodal medical and surgical concepts aimed at screening for, diagnosing, and treating anemia; minimizing surgical, procedural, and iatrogenic blood losses; and managing coagulopathic bleeding to improve health outcomes through patient-centered care.

September 2022 A&A Video Summary: Featured Articles

SEPTEMBER 2, 2022

View this video summary covering three featured articles in the September 2022 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

IMRA Awardee Banner

SEPTEMBER 2, 2022

The IARS Mentored Research Awards support investigators who are working to further the understanding of clinical practice in anesthesiology and related science. Our 2022 recipients are the future leaders in the field and their funded studies are vital to the progress of the specialty! Learn more about the 2022 recipients.

Preparing the Mind for Surgery: Examining the Potential for Physical, Cognitive, and Mindfulness Training to Improve Postoperative Outcomes | Tuesday, September 13 at 4:00 pm ET 

SEPTEMBER 2, 2022

Based on data from the healthy older population, prehabilitation has emerged as a potential intervention to optimize postoperative recovery. Our expert panel, Drs. Christopher Hughes, Kimberly Rengel, Michelle Humeidan, Balachundhar Subramaniam and Brian O’Gara, will review the rationale for physical, cognitive, and mindfulness training to improve postoperative outcomes, and the unique challenges posed by prehabilitation research. Audience members interested in investigating or implementing prehabilitation programs can help advance this exciting field.

Register today! Plus, view our full 2022 webinar schedule: https://iars.org/iars-webinar-series/.

Neonatal Pain, Opioid, and Anesthetic Exposure; What Remains in the Human Brain After the Wheels of Time?

SEPTEMBER 2, 2022

What are the possible negative long-term effects of neonatal exposure to pain, opioids, and anesthetics? Investigators study 94 older children/adolescents with a history of neonatal exposure to pain, opioids, or anesthetics at different points along a continuum: from no pain to intense pain and from no opioid exposure to very high opioid exposure in the presence or absence of anesthetics. Findings show no major long-term effects from neonatal pain or opioid/anesthetic exposure apart from neuropsychological effects in those with the highest opioid exposure. Future studies with larger sample sizes should test for less pronounced differences between exposed and unexposed children. Read more.

OpenAnesthesia®-Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology Fellows Webinar

SEPTEMBER 2, 2022

Dr. John J. Kowalczyk presents “Placenta Accreta Spectrum: Evolving Management and Trends” in the latest OA-SOAP Fellows Webinar.

OA-SPA Ask the Expert

SEPTEMBER 2, 2022

Dr. Mary Lyn Stein and OpenAnesthesia® Editor Dr. Jina Sinskey discuss an update on the topic of pediatric difficult airway.

Competency-Based Medical Training in Anesthesiology: Has It Delivered on the Promise of Better Education? 

AUGUST 3, 2022

Anesthesia & AnalgesiaThis issue focuses on the singular aspect of our field that will define how we practice clinical anesthesia for generations to come: educating future anesthesiologists. Articles contained herein discuss how training models have undergone dogmatic shifts towards competency-based assessment in an effort to ensure greater patient safety. Additionally, advances in digital technology have incorporated impressive virtual and augmented platforms to enhance simulation education and create global, collaborative access to training.

August 2022 A&A Video Summary: Featured Articles 

AUGUST 3, 2022

View this video summary covering three featured articles in the August 2022 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

AUGUST 3, 2022

Save the date for the IARS, AUA and SOCCA 2023 Annual Meetings, April 13-17, in Denver, CO.

IMPORTANT DATES & DEADLINES

Sign up to receive Annual Meeting News!

More details are available at https://meetings.iars.org.

Join IARS on August 9 for a Webinar on Perioperative Teams: Mythical or Magical? How to Apply Organizational Psychology Research Findings to Enhance Perioperative Team Building and Performance 

AUGUST 3, 2022

Moderated by Dr. Elizabeth Duggan, MD, MA, I&O Psychology, Dr. Neal Outland, PhD will present the IARS webinar, “Perioperative Teams: Mythical or Magical? How to Apply Organizational Psychology Research Findings to Enhance Perioperative Team Building and Performance” on Tuesday, August 9 at 4:00 pm ET. Teaming interventions in healthcare are increasingly popular. Under what conditions is team training most effective? Which team constructs are most applicable to the healthcare environment? How do leaders increase the effectiveness of teaming in the perioperative environment? Join this session to dispel team myths, improve teaming processes, and learn applicable solutions to building teams in the fast-paced, high-acuity operative arena.

Register today! Plus, view our full 2022 webinar schedule: https://iars.org/iars-webinar-series/.

Join Conversations in the IARS Online Member Community Following Live Events

AUGUST 3, 2022

Take a deeper dive! Join engaging conversations with speakers and peers in the IARS Online Member Community in DocMatter following live events. Get your questions answered and delve further into these important discussion topics.

Highlighted Discussions

SmartTots Funds Two New Research Initiatives! 

AUGUST 3, 2022

SmartTots is pleased to announce the funding of two new research studies totaling $309,000, aimed at addressing remaining questions on the topic of pediatric anesthetic neurotoxicity.

Learn more about both studies below and here: smarttots.org/research-and-grants.

Jimcy Platholi, MS, PhD
Weill Medical College of Cornell University

Role of mossy fiber terminals in early anesthesia neurotoxicity

This project aims to understand how anesthetic-mediated disruption of mossy fiber transmission during development intersects with genetic variation to influence neuronal activity in later life.

 

Peter Szmuk, MD
UT Southwestern Medical Center

Neurodevelopmental Outcome after Standard Dose Sevoflurane Versus Low-Dose

This project supports phase III of the international TREX trial. The study compares the neurodevelopmental outcome after standard dose sevoflurane versus a combination of low-dose sevoflurane, dexmedetomidine and remifentanil anesthesia in young children having anesthesia expected to last 2 hours or longer.

Anesthetic Exposure During Childhood and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes – A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis 

AUGUST 3, 2022

Is there an association between exposure to general anesthesia and domain- specific neurodevelopmental outcomes in children? For their meta-analysis, investigators look at 31 studies reflecting data on 571 to 63,315 exposed children at < 18 years with an evaluation of long-term neurodevelopmental function after exposure vs. 802 to 311,610 unexposed children. Findings show children with any exposure, single or multiple, have significantly lower behavioral scores, indicating more behavioral problems and worse, but variable, scores in academics, cognition, executive function, general development, language, motor function, and non-verbal reasoning. The association between early anesthesia exposure and neurodevelopmental deficits differs based on the neurodevelopmental domain. Read more here.

OpenAnesthesia®-Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology Fellows Webinar 

AUGUST 3, 2022

Dr. J. Seth Rogerson discusses “Coagulopathies in Pregnancy: Congenital and Acquired” in the latest OA-SOAP Fellows Webinar.

OA-SPA Ask the Experts: Repost of July 2018 Episode 

AUGUST 3, 2022

Dr. John E. Fiadjoe is interviewed on pediatric difficult airway. The next episode will be an update of this topic.

IARS COVID-19 Resources Receive the AAMSE Profile of Excellence Award in Education 

JULY 21, 2022

The IARS has been recognized for its COVID-19 Resource Initiative and e-Newsletter by the American Association of Medical Society Executives (AAMSE) with the 2022 Profile of Excellence Award in Education. AAMSE, a professional association of over 1,300 medical society executives and staff specialists and more than 300 member organizations, recognizes one member organization in 6 categories (Advocacy, Communications, Education, Membership, Leadership, and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) with their Profile of Excellence Awards. The awards honor the positive member and community impacts made by members that succeed in advancing the field of medicine and improving the lives of physicians and the patients they serve.

IARS is grateful for the significant time and effort donated by our tenacious and steadfast COVID-19 Scientific Advisory Board, who for more than two years, have succeeded in providing an essential content base of the latest peer-reviewed articles on COVID-19 from leading medical journals and an e-newsletter identifying those articles of greatest clinical and scientific relevance with major takeaways. This resource is greatly valued by intensivists and anesthesiologists from around the world. IARS intends to continue to deliver these essential resources through the duration of the pandemic. Read more here.

Anesthesia Patient Safety: Next Steps to Improve Worldwide Perioperative Safety by 2030 

JUNE 28, 2022

Anesthesia & AnalgesiaThe focus of this month’s featured article is anesthesia patient safety around the world. Anesthesia professionals in all countries face unique challenges to providing safe perioperative care. Leaders of anesthesia societies from 13 countries around the globe provide insights into the major issues they encounter that impact perioperative patient safety.

 

 

JUNE 28, 2022

View this video summary covering three featured articles in the July 2022 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

Submit a Program Proposal for the 2023 Annual Meetings in Denver, Colorado! 

JUNE 28, 2022

Share your great ideas and discoveries in anesthesiology and beyond – we want to hear from you! Your session proposals will be reviewed and considered for inclusion in the IARS, AUA and SOCCA 2023 Annual Meetings, April 13-17, in Denver, CO, or for the IARS Virtual Education Series and AUA and SOCCA monthly webinar series. Notifications on program status will be sent by late November 2022. Don’t miss this important opportunity to share knowledge, connect with peers and thought leaders and make a meaningful impact in the anesthesia community! Learn more here.

More details are available at https://meetings.iars.org.

Join IARS on August 9 for a Webinar on Perioperative Teams: Mythical or Magical? How to Apply Organizational Psychology Research Findings to Enhance Perioperative Team Building and Performance 

JUNE 28, 2022

Moderated by Dr. Elizabeth Duggan, MD, MA, I&O Psychology, Dr. Neal Outland, PhD will present the IARS webinar, “Perioperative Teams: Mythical or Magical? How to Apply Organizational Psychology Research Findings to Enhance Perioperative Team Building and Performance” on Tuesday, August 9 at 4:00 pm ET. Teaming interventions in healthcare are increasingly popular. Under what conditions is team training most effective? Which team constructs are most applicable to the healthcare environment? How do leaders increase the effectiveness of teaming in the perioperative environment? Join this session to dispel team myths, improve teaming processes, and learn applicable solutions to building teams in the fast-paced, high-acuity operative arena.

Register today! Plus, view our full 2022 webinar schedule: https://iars.org/iars-webinar-series/.

Anesthetic Neurotoxicity in Infants and Children: A Review of the Literature 

JUNE 28, 2022

Are concerns regarding anesthetic neurotoxicity (NT) overstated in healthy children who require anesthesia? To answer, the author conducted a literature review, including human studies between 2009 and 2020. Findings show that clinical evidence for anesthesia-related NT in children is not clear— there are incongruous results based on human trials. However, a number of independent, retrospective studies find no association between anesthesia and maladaptive cognitive outcomes in healthy children <2 years old. The author suggests that there is potential minimal or nonexistent long-term neurodevelopmental risk with a single anesthesia exposure in healthy infants and children. Biological, social and environmental factors may be more important in the determination of children’s cognitive potential. Future studies may look to focus on specific populations and procedure types that place the young brain at greatest risk during anesthesia. Read more here.

Pediatric Anesthetic Neurotoxicity: The Pre-Clinical Journey 

JUNE 28, 2022

In this video, pediatric anesthetic neurotoxicity investigators share their thoughts regarding the current state of pre-clinical research. What do we currently know? What questions remain? Are new anesthetics needed? Good progress is being made, but certainly new sources of funding are needed to answer these questions and more.

OpenAnesthesia®-Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology Fellows Webinar 

JUNE 28, 2022

Dr. Ryan M. Militana discusses “Current Considerations in Management of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in the Parturient” in the latest OA-SOAP Fellows Webinar.

IARS Emeritus Trustee Dr. Emery N. Brown Awarded Share of 2022 Gruber Neuroscience Prize

MAY 27, 2022

IARS Emeritus Trustee Emery N. Brown, MD, PhD, Edward Hood Taplin Professor of Computational Neuroscience and Health Sciences & Technology at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), was awarded a share of the 2022 Gruber Neuroscience Prize on May 17 for his trailblazing contributions to the fields of computational and theoretical neuroscience by the Gruber Foundation. This prestigious award, which honors scientists for major discoveries that advance the understanding of the nervous system, was given to Dr. Brown and three other renowned scientists, including neurophysicists Laurence Abbott of Columbia University, Terrence Sejnowski of the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, and Haim Sompolinsky of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Their collective work in these important fields is vital to unraveling the mysteries behind the complex neural networks in the brain. The Gruber Foundation will present this prize, which includes a total award of $500,000, at the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience on November 13 in San Diego, CA. Read more.

June 2022 A&A CoverJUNE 2022 

Consciousness 

MAY 25, 2022

This month’s featured article discusses key outstanding questions related to consciousness, including theoretical foundations, measurement of neural information, and the relationship of conscious experience to the physical world, and provides recommendations for how anesthesiologists can advance this foundational science. Additional empirical articles demonstrate how general anesthetics can be used to experimentally probe both level and content of consciousness. Current investigations and data support the hypothesis that both consciousness and unconsciousness reflect events at the scale of networks.

June 2022 A&A Video Summary: Featured Articles 

MAY 25, 2022

A&A June 2022 Video ImageView this video summary covering three featured articles in the June 2022 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

 

Announcing the New Editor-in-Chief of OpenAnesthesia®

MAY 25, 2022

Dr. ChatterjeeThe IARS is pleased to announce the appointment of Debnath Chatterjee, MD, FAAP, of Children’s Hospital Colorado as the Editor-in-Chief (EIC) of OpenAnesthesia® (OA). OA is an IARS site that offers a collection of anesthesia-related online education resources for anesthesiology residents and physicians worldwide. Since 2016, Dr. Chatterjee has been a contributing member of the OA Editorial Board as a Pediatric Anesthesia Section Editor. In his new role as OA EIC, he will be responsible for the overall quality and ongoing development of OA content, recruiting and managing a board of editors, and contributing to the overall strategy and vision for OA. Please join us in welcoming Dr. Chatterjee in this important position for OA and IARS.

2022 Marks 100 Years of IARS and Anesthesia & Analgesia 

MAY 25, 2022

The International Anesthesia Research Society and Anesthesia & Analgesia are 100 in 2022! Over the coming year, we will reflect on the foundation, the key moments and people who made IARS and A&A what it is today. Many memorable moments have stood out for us, but we are eager to know yours as well!

Share your favorite IARS and A&A memory with us! We are looking for your photos, illustrating these moments, especially from 2009 through present.

Email your photos and stories to [email protected] or post on social media, #IARS100!

The IARS Editorial Board sent out several Christmas cards to participants of the Anesthesia & Analgesia while Dr. Harry Seldon was Editor-in-Chief. This 1974 card cover includes a sailboat with a sail sporting the title of the Journal. The artist for this card is unknown.

Credit: Courtesy of the IARS Archives, the Wood Library-Museum of Anesthesiology

1974 The Anesthesia & Analgesia Editorial Board sent out holiday cards to participants in the Journal while Dr. Harry Seldon was Editor-in-Chief. This 1974 card cover includes a sailboat with a sail sporting the title of the Journal. The artist for this card is unknown.

 

 

Join IARS on July 12 for a Webinar on Biomarkers, Risk Factors and Practice Recommendations for Perioperative Neurocognitive Disorders

MAY 25, 2022

Drs. David Scott, Stacie G. Deiner and Lisbeth Evered will present the IARS webinar, “Biomarkers, Risk Factors and Practice Recommendations for Perioperative Neurocognitive Disorders” on Tuesday, July 12 at 4:00 pm ET. This symposium, sponsored by the Society for the Advancement of Geriatric Anesthesia, will examine most recent data on sequential inflammatory biomarkers throughout anesthesia and surgery and their association with perioperative neurocognitive disorders. Additionally, the expert speakers will provide an update on risk factors in vulnerable geriatric patients, especially frailty, and on clinical practice recommendations for caring for the geriatric patient.

Register today! Plus, view our full 2022 webinar schedule: https://iars.org/iars-webinar-series/.

Join Conversations in the IARS Online Member Community Following Live Events

MAY 25, 2022

Take a deeper dive! Join engaging conversations with speakers and peers in the IARS Online Member Community in DocMatter following live events. Get your questions answered and delve further into these important discussion topics.

Highlighted Discussions

Impact of Surgery and Anesthesia During Early Brain Development: A Perfect Storm 

MAY 25, 2022

In this review article, the authors explore the effects of neonatal surgery on neurobiological processes in the rapidly developing brain. The authors 1) provide a structured summary of early brain development; 2) discuss the literature on brain injury and neurodevelopmental outcomes; 3) describe mechanisms of injury after neonatal surgery; and 4) propose a disease model built on the triad of inflammation, vascular immaturity, and neurotoxicity due to prolonged exposure to anesthesia. This triad creates the “perfect storm” for anesthesia-induced neonatal brain injury. Read more here.

IARS Virtual Education Series: Anesthesia Effects on Neuroplasticity in Developing Brain – Clinical Aspect and Research Insight

MAY 25, 2022


View the latest IARS Virtual Education webinar! The May webinar addressed anesthesia’s effect on neuroplasticity in the developing brain with guest speakers addressing critical topics including the role of brain circuitry, tau and neuroinflammation, mechanisms of injury and more.

Long-Time Champion of IARS Dr. Santhanam Suresh Steps into Role of Chair and New Officers Announced 

APRIL 28, 2022

Santhanam SureshSanthanam Suresh, MD, MBA, FASA, FAAP, has assumed the role of Chair of the International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS) Board of Trustees effective April 1. A long-time champion of the IARS mission to improve patient care through research and education, Dr. Suresh has actively strived to further that mission through many roles during his service as an IARS Trustee. His strong dedication to the organization and the anesthesia community now take him into his next leadership role as IARS Board Chair.

In addition to Dr. Suresh’s new position on the IARS Board of Trustees, the new officers have been announced. The officers include Immediate Past Chair Christian P. Werner, MD, Chair-Elect and Secretary Beverley A. Orser, MD, PhD, Treasurer Laura E. Niklason, MD, PhD and Journal Liaison Max B. Kelz, MD, PhD. Learn more about the IARS Board of Trustees here.

Future of Perioperative Precision Medicine: Integration of Molecular Science, Dynamic Health Care Informatics, and Implementation of Predictive Pathways in Real Time 

APRIL 28, 2022

The focus of this month’s featured article is the future of perioperative precision medicine. Science is undergoing a reproducibility crisis. Several clinical trials have not been replicable. One of the several reasons is the lack of in-depth mechanistic aspects of diseases and therapies. Although it may not be easy, it is time to move beyond clinical statistical significance to individualized trials whenever and wherever feasible.

May 2022 A&A Video Summary: Featured Articles 

APRIL 28, 2022

View this video summary covering three featured articles in the May 2022 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

Join IARS on May 10 for a Webinar on Neuroplasticity in Developing Brain and Other Important Related Resources 

APRIL 28, 2022

Drs. Laszlo Vutskits, Mary Ellen McCann, Guang Yang and Zhongcong Xie will present the IARS webinar, “Anesthesia Effects on Neuroplasticity in Developing Brain – Clinical Aspect and Research Insight” on Tuesday, May 10 at 4:00 pm ET. Moderated by Dr. Beverley Orser, this session will provide updated clinical aspects and research insights regarding anesthesia effects on neuroplasticity in the young brain. The participants of the panel will discuss their opinions and provide advice regarding clinical anesthesia and anesthesia research in children.

Register today! Plus, view our full 2022 webinar schedule: https://iars.org/iars-webinar-series/.

Annual Meeting Sessions: Continue Conversations in the Member Community! 

APRIL 28, 2022

Discussions that began at the IARS 2022 Annual Meeting sessions continue in the Member Community. Additionally, speakers from select sessions will also be available for further questions and discussions. Give feedback, engage with peers and get your questions answered!

Some Highlighted Community Conversations

2022 Marks 100 Years of IARS and Anesthesia & Analgesia 

APRIL 28, 2022

IARS is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2022. Over the coming year, we will reflect on the foundation, the key moments and people who made the International Anesthesia Research Society and Anesthesia & Analgesia what it is today. Many memorable moments have stood out for us, but we are eager to know yours as well!

Share your favorite IARS and A&A memory with us! We are looking for your photos, illustrating these moments.

Email your photos and stories to [email protected] or post on social media, #IARS100!

1960 Dr. Harold Griffith, a charter Trustee of IARS, spoke at the IARS Congress in Washington. Credit: Courtesy of the IARS Archives, the Wood Library-Museum of Anesthesiology

1960 Dr. Harold Griffith, a charter Trustee of IARS, spoke at the IARS Congress in Washington.

Credit: Courtesy of the IARS Archives, the Wood Library-Museum of Anesthesiology

General Anesthesia and the Young Brain: The Importance of Novel Strategies with Alternate Mechanisms of Action. Maksimovic et al. February 2022.

APRIL 28, 2022

What do we currently know about neuroactive steroids as a promising novel general anesthetic for children? Given the number of preclinical and clinical studies describing and/or suggesting an association between exposure to general anesthesia (GA) and neurocognitive issues, investigators explore alternatives to GA, focusing on synthetic neuroactive steroid analogues (NSAs). NSAs have emerged as effective hypnotics free of neurotoxic effects and long-term cognitive side effects. Some steroid analogues, with different cellular targets and mechanisms of action than currently used GAs, may be safe alternatives. Read more here.

Designing the Proper Study: Pediatric Anesthetic Neurotoxicity 

APRIL 28, 2022

In this video, pediatric anesthetic neurotoxicity thought leaders ponder the feasibility of designing and conducting studies that successfully isolate the effects of anesthetics from the effects of the procedure or patient’s underlying condition.

OpenAnesthesia®-Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology Fellows Webinar 

APRIL 28, 2022

Dr. Cesar Padilla discusses “Benefits of Dual OB Anesthesiology/Critical Care Fellowships” in the latest OA-SOAP Fellows Webinar.

Announcing the New Social Media Editors for Anesthesia & Analgesia and A&A Practice 

MARCH 31, 2022

Social Media Editors

The IARS is pleased to announce the appointment of Emily Sharpe, MD (@emilysharpe) of Mayo Clinic and Jarna Shah, MD (@JarnaShahMD) of University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences as the Social Media Editors for Anesthesia & Analgesia and A&A Practice (Twitter: @IARS_Journals; Facebook: @AnesthesiaandAnalgesia; Instagram: @iars_journals). Drs. Sharpe and Shah bring great social media experience and enthusiasm to their roles. Together, they will recruit a team of social media ambassadors and increase visibility of the IARS Journals’ content, deepening engagement with authors and readers, as well as adding more social media-oriented multimedia content.

Future of Clinical Trial Methodology 

MARCH 31, 2022

This month’s featured article considers the challenges of designing, conducting, and interpreting clinical trials. Better still, solutions and a pathway forward are provided. Anesthesia clinical trial networks have been created across the world, providing shared expertise, centralized data management and statistical analysis, infrastructure, and other resources to improve the efficiency and value of clinical trials. Innovations in clinical trial design, digital technologies, consumer engagement, and implementation science are also changing how we design and conduct clinical trials.

April 2022 A&A Video Summary: Featured Articles 

MARCH 31, 2022

View this video summary covering three featured articles in the April 2022 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

Watch Session Recordings from the 2022 Annual Meetings! 

MARCH 31, 2022

The IARS, AUA and SOCCA 2022 Annual Meetings were held virtually. Registered attendees can access session recordings via https://iarsauasocca.pathable.co/ until June 21, 2022.

Missed the meeting? You can still register to watch session recordings and earn Enduring Material CME, if available. Visit https://meetings.iars.org/ for more information.

Annual Meeting Sessions: Continue Conversations in the Member Community! 

MARCH 31, 2022

Discussions that began at the IARS 2022 Annual Meeting sessions continue in the Member Community. Additionally, speakers from select sessions will also be available for further questions and discussions. Give feedback, engage with peers and get your questions answered!

To see featured discussions, please go to the discussion filter of the IARS Member Community. You will see a drop-down menu, entitled “2022 Annual Meeting.” Select “Session Highlights” to see the Discussions related to this year’s meeting.

To access specific Member Community conversations, you will need to initially log into your account in the community.

Some Highlighted Community Conversations

Discover Key Takeaways from Sessions and Member Discussions in The Daily Dose! 

MARCH 31, 2022

The Daily Dose, the official e-newsletter of the IARS Annual Meeting and Scholars’ Day, will keep you in the conversation. Here’s how:

Be sure to read coverage from the 2022 Scholars’ Day in the April 8th issue of The Daily Dose. Learn more here.

Save the Date for our 2023 Annual Meeting in Denver, Colorado! 

MARCH 31, 2022

The IARS Annual Meeting will take place April 14-17, 2023, in Denver, Colorado. We hope to see you there in person!

More details are available at https://meetings.iars.org/past-future-meetings/future/.

Join IARS on April 12 for a Webinar on Sleep and Circadian Disruption and Other Important Related Resources 

MARCH 31, 2022

Drs. Michael Devinney, Reine Ibala, Melissa Knauert and Elizabeth Wilcox will present the IARS webinar, “Sleep and Circadian Disruption: Risk Factors and Pathological Pathways for Delirium and Neurocognitive Dysfunction,” on Tuesday, April 12 at 4:00 pm EDT. Moderated by Dr. Lei Gao, this session will be dedicated to providing attendees with practical strategies to combat fatigue, maximize performance, and enhance patient safety.

Register today! Plus, view our full 2022 webinar schedule: https://iars.org/iars-webinar-series/.

Do We Have Viable Protective Strategies against Anesthesia-Induced Developmental Neurotoxicity? Useinovic, Maksimovic, Near, Quillinan, and Jevtovic-Todorovic. January 2022. 

MARCH 31, 2022

This mini review summarizes strategies for protecting the developing human brain from general anesthesia (GA)-induced neurotoxicity. The authors explore 1) mechanisms of neuroprotection and clinical applications; 2) intracellular targets and signal-transduction pathways for a diverse group of chemicals; 3) epigenetic and transgenerational effects of GA, potential remedies, and approaches that delay or reduce anesthesia; and 4) evidence for a novel class of anesthetics with distinct mechanisms of action and promising safety profiles. Read more here.

Fresh from the Recent IARS Annual Meeting! SmartTots: New Directions in Pediatric Anesthetic Neurotoxicity Research 

MARCH 31, 2022


Investigators and experts on this topic, Drs. Vesna Jevtovic-Todorovic, Viola Neudecker and Caleb Ing, presented the major findings of recent studies, and how these results contribute to the literature in the area of anesthesia neurotoxicity during the SmartTots session, “New Directions in Pediatric Anesthetic Neurotoxicity Research.” Held on Sunday, March 20 at the IARS 2022 Annual Meeting, the speakers highlighted the latest pediatric anesthetic neurotoxicity research.

Can’t spare an hour? View the session in small doses:

Novel NeurosteroidsVesna Jevtovic-Todorovic, MD, PhD

Behavioral Phenotype After Anesthetic Exposure in Non-Human PrimatesViola Neudecker, MD

Behavioral Phenotype In Clinical Studies of Anesthetic NeurotoxicityCaleb Ing, MD, MS

OpenAnesthesia®-Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology Fellows Webinar 

MARCH 31, 2022

Dr. Jennifer Banayan discusses “Cardiovascular Emergencies on Labor and Delivery” in the latest OA-SOAP Fellows Webinar.

OA-SPA Ask the Experts 

MARCH 31, 2022

Dr. Genevieve Staudt and OpenAnesthesia® Editor Dr. Jina Sinskey discuss Fontan physiology.

Paloma Toledo, MD, MPH, Named Inaugural Executive Editor for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) of Anesthesia & Analgesia 

FEBRUARY 28, 2022

Paloma Toledo, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology, Northwestern University in Chicago IL, has been named the inaugural Executive Editor for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) of Anesthesia & Analgesia. The IARS is proud to announce this appointment by Dr. Jean-Francois Pittet, MD, DEAA, Editor-in-Chief of A&A. Dr. Toledo has been on the A&A Editorial Board since 2014 and has extensive experience as a leader and researcher in healthcare disparities. With this new role, the IARS is committed to ensure that its Journals actively support and promote diversity and equity in all areas – from the authors, editors, and reviewers to the content of our articles, and more. Please join us in welcoming Dr. Toledo in this important position for A&A and the IARS.

Pro-Con Debate: Anesthesiologist- Versus Hospitalist-Run Preoperative Clinics and Perioperative Care 

FEBRUARY 28, 2022

This month’s Anesthesia & Analgesia cover art depicts the various categories of Health Services Research (HSR), which is defined as a multidisciplinary field that studies how economic systems, organizational structures and processes, emerging health technologies, and personal behaviors affect the delivery of care in the “real world” and ultimately, the overall health of our patients. The cover specifically depicts the research continuum from basic research to translational research to clinical research to health services research. If we accept that the ultimate goal of this research continuum is to improve the health of our patients, it is clear that it’s not enough (for example) to develop a new treatment and then show its clinical superiority over existing treatment. In fact, we would go so far as to call this a surrogate outcome that is easy to measure but does not reflect the real goal of the research continuum. Indeed, HSR measures (for example) effective execution of knowledge translation, and this construct is frequently difficult because of the silo mentality that is embedded in our healthcare system. Knowledge translation requires a fully integrated system to execute the care, and that is difficult when various specialties “compete” rather than “collaborate.” Surgeons have already embraced HSR –we hope that this themed issue will contribute to the development of perioperative HSR in anesthesiology, foster more consideration of how we effectively translate the knowledge from scientific endeavors into high-quality care, and act as an impetus for the development of grant mechanisms directed at this area.

March 2022 A&A Video Summary: Featured Articles 

FEBRUARY 28, 2022

View this video summary covering three featured articles in the March 2022 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

2022 Marks 100 Years of IARS and Anesthesia & Analgesia 

FEBRUARY 28, 2022

IARS is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2022. Over the coming year, we will reflect on the foundation, the key moments and people who made the International Anesthesia Research Society and Anesthesia & Analgesia what it is today. Many memorable moments have stood out for us, but we are eager to know yours as well!

Share your favorite IARS and A&A memory with us! We are looking for your photos, illustrating these moments.

Email your photos and stories to [email protected] or post on social media, #IARS100!

IARS Congress, 1934 at the McAlpin Hotel – Dr. Francis McMechan and honored guest from Germany, Dr. Philip Mueller
Credit: Courtesy of the IARS Archives, the Wood Library-Museum of Anesthesiology

1934 Dr. Francis McMechan poses with honored guest from Germany, Dr. Philip Mueller, and other attendees of the 13th Congress of Anesthestists at the McAlpin Hotel in New York City.

Support Important Anesthesia Research 

FEBRUARY 28, 2022

Your Amazon shopping can also make a difference by supporting important anesthesia research! Just shop AmazonSmile and select the International Anesthesia Research Society as the organization for donation.

Early Development of the GABAergic System and the Associated Risks of Neonatal Anesthesia. Gascoigne, Serdyukova, & Aksenov. November 2021 

FEBRUARY 28, 2022

How does neonatal anesthesia impact the gamma aminobutyric acid-ergic (GABA) system, one that normally supports neuron development, in ways that lead to deficits in learning and behavior in children? Findings show that, because the GABA systems of children develop over a long period of time, it is not possible to identify the entirety of negative anesthesia-induced effects on learning and behavior. These negative effects are not immediately evident and take years to develop. Alternatively, the authors offer a variety of in vivo methods for measuring the GABA-related effects of neonatal anesthesia on learning and behavior over time. Read more here.

Pediatric Anesthetic Neurotoxicity: Finding Ways to Move Forward 

FEBRUARY 28, 2022


In this video, pediatric anesthetic neurotoxicity investigators discuss the state of the research and identify compelling ways to move the field forward.

OpenAnesthesia®-Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology Fellows Webinar 

FEBRUARY 28, 2022

Dr. Mark Zakowski from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center discusses “Cannabinoids in Pregnancy: Physiologic Effects and Anesthetic Considerations” in the latest OA-SOAP Fellows Webinar.

OA-SPA Ask the Experts 

FEBRUARY 28, 2022

Dr. Patrick Fernandez and OpenAnesthesia® Editor Dr. Debnath Chatterjee discuss the anesthetic care of children with food and PCN allergies.

2022 Cycle of the IARS Mentored Research Award Now Open! 

Applications are now being accepted for the 2022 IARS Mentored Research Awards (IMRA) through April 30, 2022! Up to four research projects will be selected in 2022, each with a maximum award of $175,000 payable over two years. IMRA applications may be in any area of investigation (clinical, translational, basic science), but must have ultimate relevance to the broad practice of anesthesiology and its subspecialties.

To learn more, visit iars.org/awards/IMRA. To apply, click here.

IMRA has a lasting, positive impact on a researcher’s career by developing leadership skills while simultaneously advancing the specialty. As an example, 2014 IMRA recipient Dr. Miles Berger is continuing the research on his original funded thesis, “The trajectory and significance of perioperative changes in AD biomarkers,” see the latest update on his research here.

FAER Spring 2022 Grant Cycle Closing Soon 

Time is running out to apply for the Foundation for Anesthesia Education and Research’s (FAER) Spring 2022 Grant Cycle. Applications for the Mentored Research Training Grant (MRTG), Research Fellowship Grant (RFG), and Research in Education Grant (REG) close February 15, 2022. Learn more and apply today at FAER.org/Grants.

Anesthesiologists as Health System Leaders: Why It Works 

As anesthesiologists and health system leaders, we have learned the important lesson that it’s not about “winning” but about finding solutions. Effective leadership frequently avoids the use of “command and control” that is an externalized and often rigid, coercive, and noncollaborative leadership style. Rather, we see ourselves as servant leaders, those who deemphasize self and prioritize the needs of others as part of a larger healthcare team.

A&A 2022 Centennial Futuristic Article Series 

As part of our Centennial recognition, Anesthesia & Analgesia commissioned a series of papers focused on the future trajectory of anesthesiology, perioperative medicine, critical care, and pain medicine. These papers will be added to an online collection as they publish in Anesthesia & Analgesia throughout 2022.

February 2022 A&A Video Summary: Featured Articles 

View this video summary covering three featured articles in the February 2022 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

The 2022 Annual Meetings are Going Fully Virtual! 

After much consideration, the International Anesthesia Research Society, the Association of University Anesthesiologists, and the Society of Critical Care Anesthesiologists have decided to shift our in-person 2022 Annual Meetings to a fully virtual format.

The virtual meetings will be held over the same dates as planned – March 17-20, 2022. The meetings will begin at 10:00 am EST each day. This virtual experience will allow attendees to take advantage of flexible learning, featuring the same high-quality educational sessions for which the annual meetings are known. Participants will have access to educational content for three months after the meeting. View the program via https://meetings.iars.org.

Now Accepting Applications for the 2022 IARS Mentored Research Awards! 

Applications are now being accepted for the 2022 IARS Mentored Research Awards (IMRA) through April 30, 2022! For over 100 years the core mission of the International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS) has been to encourage, stimulate, and support anesthesia-related research projects that will improve patient care and advance the specialty. IARS established its Mentored Research Awards to help create future leaders and prepare applicants to obtain independent research funding. Up to four research projects will be selected in 2022, each with a maximum award of $175,000 payable over two years. IMRA applications may be in any area of investigation (clinical, translational, basic science), but must have ultimate relevance to the broad practice of anesthesiology and its subspecialties.

To learn more and view past successful IMRA research endeavors, visit iars.org/awards/IMRA. To apply, visit https://proposalcentral.com.

Anesthesia and Developing Brains: Unanswered Questions and Proposed Paths Forward. Ing et al. January 2022 

In their report, SmartTots investigators provide consensus and address areas of disagreement on burning issues in pediatric anesthesia safety and neurotoxicity in children. Topics include: 1) preclinical data from animal models and translation to humans; 2) the state of clinical evidence; 3) perioperative factors that affect outcomes; 4) consensus and differences of opinion; 5) evidence required to show that exposure to general anesthesia causes long-term neurodevelopmental deficits in children; 6) children who are most vulnerable; and 7) experience from environmental neurotoxin studies. New research approaches are needed to determine whether a recognized phenotype is caused by anesthetic medications or other factors. Clinical evidence is mixed and key questions on anesthesia-induced neurotoxicity in children are still under debate. Pediatric neurotoxicity research is in the middle of its evolution when compared to research of other potentially toxic chemicals. Further research on the long-term neurodevelopmental effects of anesthesia is necessary. Read more here.

SmartTots: Building Community and Advocating for Important Research 


In this video, SmartTots pediatric anesthetic neurotoxicity thought leaders discuss the current status of the field and provide insights into the future of the research.

Deadline Approaching! SmartTots Now Accepting Research Grant Applications – $250,000 available! 

SmartTots is now accepting research grant applications aimed at continuing the ongoing work to advance the knowledge and understanding of the effects of anesthetics on the developing brain and address current unknowns. Both clinical and preclinical projects are welcome. New projects building on the work of an earlier study are encouraged. Pilot projects will be considered.

To access the guidelines, view the specific questions of interest, and determine your eligibility, click here. Submit applications here.

Application Deadline: February 28, 2022

FAER Spring 2022 Grant Cycle Open Now 

Applications for the Foundation for Anesthesia Education and Research’s (FAER) Spring 2022 Grant Cycle are open now through February 15, 2022. Grants available include the Mentored Research Training Grant (MRTG), Research Fellowship Grant (RFG), and Research in Education Grant (REG). As part of this grant cycle, FAER also has funds available for obstetric anesthesiology related research for MRTGs, REGs, and RFGs, as well as funds for an MRTG focused on education research through SAAAPM. For more information on these grants and how to apply, visit FAER.org/Grants.

Practice Patterns and Variability in Intraoperative Opioid Utilization: A Report From the Multicenter Perioperative Outcomes Group

The focus of this month’s featured article is the intersection of one of the key foundational practices of anesthesia care, intraoperative opioid administration, and administration practice patterns. The authors have characterized and quantified variability in intraoperative opioid practice patterns using a Bayesian analysis. Their work demonstrates the significant variability in practice between institutions and forms a strong foundational background for future research in this area.

January 2022 A&A Video Summary: Featured Articles

View this video summary covering three featured articles in the January 2022 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

2022 Marks 100 Years of IARS and Anesthesia & Analgesia

Over the coming year, we will journey back in time to reflect on the foundation, the key moments and people who made the International Anesthesia Research Society and Anesthesia & Analgesia what it is today. Many memorable moments have stood out for us but we are eager to know yours as well!

Share your favorite IARS memory with us! Email your stories and photos to [email protected] or post on social media #IARS100!

Discuss IARS Webinar on Perioperative Hypotension in the Member Community

Join in the conversation with the expert speakers from December’s IARS Webinar on “Perioperative Hypotension – A Key Driver of Organ Dysfunction and Perioperative Morbidity” in the IARS Member Community in DocMatter. You can post any other questions or topics you’d like further input on following the live event.

IARS full members who did not participate in the live webinar, but who wish to view a select recording or earn CME, can access both here. Also, the recordings from all 2021 webinars are available in the same location.

Physician Wellness Channel in the IARS Member Community

In an effort to better support physician wellness, we are excited to announce we will be creating a specific physician wellness channel in the IARS Member Community that members can join to share and collaborate with one another around resources and initiatives pertinent to clinician physical and mental wellbeing.

We are always looking for new ways to support the wellness of our members. If you’d be interested in getting further involved with wellness-related initiatives, please feel free to reach out to Meghan Whitbeck at [email protected]. We appreciate your support!

View 2021 IARS Webinars and Claim CME

The IARS 2021 Virtual Education Series has concluded for 2021 but IARS full members can still view recordings of our sessions and claim CME. To learn more, please click here.

SmartTots Now Accepting Research Grant Applications – $250,000 available!

SmartTots is now accepting research grant applications aimed at continuing the ongoing work to advance the knowledge and understanding of the effects of anesthetics on the developing brain and address current unknowns. Both clinical and preclinical projects are welcome. New projects building on the work of an earlier study are encouraged. Pilot projects will be considered.

To access the guidelines, view the specific questions of interest, and determine your eligibility, click here. Submit applications here.

Application Deadline: February 28, 2022

OA-SOAP Fellows Webinar Series

Dr. Dan Drzymalski presents “From the American Revolution to the Maternity Ward: A History of Accepting Obstetric Anesthesia” in the December 2021 episode of the OA-SOAP Fellows Webinar Series.

APSF-FAER Mentored Research Training Grant Letter of Intent Submissions

The Foundation for Anesthesia Education and Research is currently accepting Letter of Intent (LOI) submissions now through January 1, 2022, for the APSF-FAER Mentored Research Training Grant (MRTG). Co-sponsored by the Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation (APSF), the APSF-FAER MRTG comprises $300,000 in funding over two years and aims to help anesthesiologists develop the skills and preliminary data they need to become independent investigators in the field of anesthesia patient safety. Learn more and submit your LOI at FAER.org/APSF.

Register now for Perioperative Hypotension – A Key Driver of Organ Dysfunction and Perioperative Morbidity on Tuesday, December 14, 2021 at 4:00 pm ET

Join us for the upcoming webinar, “Perioperative Hypotension – A Key Driver of Organ Dysfunction and Perioperative Morbidity,” on Tuesday, December 14, at 4:00 pm ET, to interact with our expert speakers Drs. Duminda Wijeysundera, J Robert Sneyd and Judith van Waes. Plus, continue the conversation around this topic in the IARS Member Community following the webinar.

The IARS Virtual Education Webinar Series gives you the opportunity to attend member-developed educational sessions, addressing top-of-mind topics in anesthesiology today. IARS full members may also view recordings on our website as your schedule allows. Our monthly educational webinars are open to the public and CME and recordings are available for IARS full members. To register for upcoming events, please click here.

Impact of Neuraxial Versus General Anesthesia on Discharge Destination in Patients Undergoing Primary Total Hip and Total Knee Replacement

This month’s cover art depicts the rapid patient throughput from arrival to the ambulatory facility to discharge home after day case or same-day surgery. Ambulatory surgical care continues to expand and has become the fastest growing segment of the health care industry. Ambulatory surgery is associated with improved postoperative outcomes and lower health care costs.

December 2021 A&A Video Summary: Featured Articles

View this video summary covering three featured articles in the December 2021 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.

IARS 2022 Annual Meeting, March 18-20

Join us in Honolulu, Hawaii to reconnect with colleagues and share the latest state-of-the-art education and clinical research data across all areas of anesthesia. Make your hotel reservation today!

Neurotoxicity Outside the Operating Room: An Evolving Challenge for Pediatricians and Pediatric Subspecialists

The US Food and Drug Administration issued a warning in December 2016 that prolonged or repeated exposure to general anesthesia and sedatives that block N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors or potentiate gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) activity could have a potentially negative impact on brain development in children. Children who undergo multiple procedures and those younger than 3 years who are exposed to general anesthesia for more than 3 hours were deemed at risk for potential neurotoxicity from anesthesia exposure. Unfortunately, the number of pediatric diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in children outside the operating room continues to increase, and non-anesthesiologists from various pediatric subspecialties play an increasingly important role in providing this care. Read more here.

Discuss IARS and SASM Webinar on Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Pregnant Women in the Member Community

Join in the conversation with the expert speakers from November’s IARS and Society for Anesthesia and Sleep Medicine Webinar on “Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Pregnant Women: Updates on Screening, Treatment, and Management” in the IARS Member Community in DocMatter. You can post any other questions or topics you’d like further input on following the live event here and see other discussions in the obstetric anesthesia topical channel. IARS full members who did not participate in the live webinar, but who wish to view a recording or earn Enduring Material CME, can access both here.

OA-SOAP Fellows Webinar Series

Dr. Jason Papazian discusses “OB Anesthesia and a History of Back Pathology and Back Surgery” in the November 2021 episode of the OA-SOAP Fellows Webinar Series.

The National Academy of Medicine honors two IARS Trustees

The National Academy of Medicine recently recognized IARS Trustees George Mashour, MD, PhD, and Beverley Ann Orser, MD, PhD, FRCPC, for their professional accomplishments and service to the field of medicine and health care, electing them as members to its esteemed membership of the top individuals in their field of medicine. Their election to the 2018 class of the Academy is considered one of the highest honors in the field. Read more here.