News You Can Use: Obstetric Anesthesia in the 21st Century

©International Anesthesia Research Society. Unauthorized Use Prohibited. Learner Objectives: By the end of this lecture, participants should be able to • Understand the relationship between the density epidural labor analgesia and the outcome of vaginal delivery. • Explain how the mode of drug delivery into the epidural space (bolus vs. infusion) affects characteristics of neuroblockade. • Explain the reasoning behind choice of vasopressors (ephedrine and phenylephrine) for the treatment of neuraxial-anesthesia induced hypotension during cesarean delivery. • Understand the benefits and limits of crystalloid and colloid administration for the prevention of hypotension during spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery. • Understand the etiology and risk factors associated with neuraxial anesthesia-associated infections (meningitis and epidural abscess) and the new ASA guidelines for prevention of neuraxial-procedure related infections. • Understand the current knowledge regarding the association between neuraxial labor analgesia and fetal bradycardia.