Percutaneous coronary intervention with stent placement is one of the most frequently performed procedures in the western world. Patients with coronary stents need to be on dual antiplatelet therapy in order to minimize the risk of stent thrombosis. When these patients undergo surgical procedures, the risk of stent thrombosis needs to be balanced against the risk of bleeding in the perioperativ...

There is growing evidence that statin use is associated with a reduction in perioperative morbidity and mortality. Statins inhibit 3-hydroxy3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, a mechanism that effectively reduces low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Numerous randomized controlled studies have shown that this intervention effectively impedes the development of atherosclerosis and attenuates c...

Anaphylactic reactions in the peri-operative period are often serious and potentially life-threatening conditions, involving multiple organ systems in which the clinical manifestations are the consequence of the release of preformed mediators from mast cells and basophils. Anaphylaxis is an immune mediated type I allergic reaction following the massive release of mediators from mast cells and b...

This study is a literature review with the objective to reflect about stress and coping in the perioperative period of breast cancer. The study was performed based on a national online database including studies published from 1996 to 2006. The search found 63 articles, 17 of which were selected. The selected articles were read, analyzed and grouped into thematic categories: (1) Breast cancer a...