Continuous Thoracic Paravertebral Block to Treat Electrical Storm.

Continuous ganglion block is increasingly being used to help manage ventricular tachyarrhythmias. We present the cases of 2 patients in whom we used continuous left thoracic paravertebral block to achieve sympathetic denervation and improvement in drug-refractory ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Whether as destination therapy or bridging therapy, we conclude that the block is safe, improves patients' comfort, and is superior in several ways to stellate ganglion block and other single-injection techniques.

Reporting of cross-over clinical trials of analgesic treatments for chronic pain: Analgesic, Anesthetic, and Addiction Clinical Trial Translations, Innovations, Opportunities, and Networks systematic review and recommendations.

Cross-over trials are typically more efficient than parallel group trials in that the sample size required to yield a desired power is substantially smaller. It is important, however, to consider some issues specific to cross-over trials when designing and reporting them, and when evaluating the published results of such trials. This systematic review evaluated the quality of reporting and its evolution over time in articles of cross-over clinical trials of pharmacologic treatments for chronic pain published between 1993 and 2013. Seventy-six (61%) articles reported a within-subject primary analysis, or if no primary analysis was identified, reported at least 1 within-subject analysis, which is required to achieve the gain in power associated with the cross-over design. For 39 (31%) articles, it was unclear whether analyses conducted were within-subject or between-group. Only 36 (29%) articles reported a method to accommodate missing data (eg, last observation carried forward, n = 29), and of those, just 14 included subjects in the analysis who provided data from only 1 period. Of the articles that identified a within-subject primary analysis, 21 (51%) provided sufficient information for the results to be included in a meta-analysis (ie, estimates of the within-subject treatment effect and variability). These results and others presented in this article demonstrate deficiencies in reporting of cross-over trials for analgesic treatments. Clearer reporting in future trials could improve readers' ability to critically evaluate the results, use these data in meta-analyses, and plan future trials. Recommendations for proper reporting of cross-over trials that apply to any condition are provided.

Trial ultrasound-guided continuous left stellate ganglion blockade before surgical gangliolysis in a patient with a left ventricular assist device and intractable ventricular tachycardia: a pain control application to a complex hemodynamic condition.

Stellate ganglion blockade for cardiac dysrhythmia is a well-described technique but infrequently used to manage ventricular tachycardia (VT). In patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs), these dysrhythmias cause increased morbidity because of right ventricular dysfunction, and often severe discomfort. Continuous stellate ganglion blockade may yield valuable information on a diagnostic and therapeutic basis in preparation for definitive, permanent interventions. We describe the successful management of intractable VT with continuous left stellate ganglion blockade, followed by surgical gangliolysis in a patient with an LVAD.

Double-chambered right ventricle: a review.

A double-chambered right ventricle is a rare heart defect in which the right ventricle is separated into a high-pressure proximal and low-pressure distal chamber. This defect is considered to be congenital and typically presents in infancy or childhood but has been reported to present rarely in adults. It can be caused by the presence of anomalous muscle tissue, hypertrophy of the endogenous trabecular bands, or an aberrant moderator band; all of which will typically result in progressive obstruction of the outflow tract. In this paper, we will discuss the general anatomy of the right ventricle, the relevant embryology of the heart, and the presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of a double-chambered right ventricle.

Francesco Parona (1842-1908) and his contributions to our understanding of surgery through anatomy.

Much of the life of Francesco Parona and many of his contributions to medicine are unknown outside of Europe. Parona made novel contributions to many surgical techniques and medical treatments and was an active member of society and the Italian political regime. Parona's name lives on eponymously by his "space" in the forearm. This paper will discuss the personal life and medical contributions of Francesco Parona.