British journal of anaesthesia
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Socioeconomic status and mortality after acute hip fracture surgery in Sweden: a registry-based nationwide epidemiologic study

Aug 5, 2026

This study investigates the association between individual-level socioeconomic status (SES) indicators and mortality following acute hip fracture surgery in Sweden. The authors found that lower levels of education were significantly linked to higher mortality rates, with education showing the strongest correlation compared to other SES factors. These results suggest that socioeconomic factors should be considered in the management of patients undergoing hip fracture surgery to improve outcomes.

Self-reported frailty: good enough for perioperative practice?

Aug 5, 2026

The authors investigate whether self-reported frailty can be an effective measure for assessing patient risk in perioperative practice, given the challenges of routinely measuring frailty. They reference a study by Alkadari et al., which demonstrates a largely successful implementation of self-reported frailty among 531 older adults undergoing noncardiac surgery, while acknowledging that some challenges persist.

Epigenetics, inflammation and postoperative complications: a scoping review

Aug 5, 2026

This scoping review aims to consolidate existing research on the relationship between epigenetic mechanisms, inflammation, and postoperative complications, particularly in the context of surgical procedures. The authors highlight the predominance of studies focusing on microRNA while noting the underrepresentation of DNA methylation and histone modifications, and they call for standardized measures of inflammation and consistent definitions of complications in future research to enhance comparability and understanding in this field.

Assessing impact of supervision in aerobic exercise training on fitness and clinical outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Aug 4, 2026

The authors aimed to assess the impact of supervised versus unsupervised aerobic exercise training on fitness and clinical outcomes in adult clinical populations. Their systematic review and meta-analysis found that while both types of exercise improved 6-Minute Walk Test distance, supervised high-intensity exercise significantly enhanced peak oxygen consumption and reduced postoperative complications. However, the lack of direct comparisons between the two exercise modalities highlights the need for further research to clarify their relative effectiveness.

Dose-response association between intraoperative norepinephrine and postoperative acute kidney injury: a retrospective cohort study

Jul 31, 2026

The authors aimed to investigate the dose-response relationship between intraoperative norepinephrine administration and the incidence of postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI), while also examining the interaction with intraoperative hypotension. Their analysis of 27,874 surgical cases revealed that higher doses of norepinephrine were significantly associated with increased AKI risk, identifying two critical dose thresholds for monitoring. The findings suggest that norepinephrine exposure is independently linked to AKI, with distinct nonlinear and linear behaviors in dose metrics, largely unaffected by hypotension.

Association of body mass index and computed tomography-derived body composition with postoperative cardiovascular events: a secondary analysis of two prospective cohorts

Jul 31, 2026

The authors aimed to investigate the associations between body mass index (BMI) and computed tomography (CT)-derived body composition phenotypes with postoperative cardiovascular events in patients aged 45 and older undergoing major noncardiac surgery. They found that lower BMI was linked to higher cardiovascular risk, with variations depending on the type of surgery, and identified three distinct CT-derived body composition phenotypes, which provided some additional predictive information beyond BMI alone, though the improvement in model performance was modest.

Sensory data-driven classification of complex regional pain syndrome: a multicentre cohort study

Jul 31, 2026

The authors aimed to identify distinct subgroups of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) patients using comprehensive somatosensory testing and unbiased statistical methods, contrasting with previous studies that relied on predefined pathophysiological mechanisms. They successfully identified three sensory phenotypes in a multicenter cohort, revealing varying degrees of hypersensitivity and sensory loss among patients. This novel bottom-up approach enhances the mechanistic understanding of CRPS and may inform future treatment strategies.

Precision of neuromuscular monitoring in paediatric patients: a randomised prospective agreement study of kinemyography and electromyography

Jul 31, 2026

The authors aimed to compare the precision of kinemyography and electromyography for neuromuscular monitoring in pediatric patients under five years of age, particularly in populations without equipment certification. The study found that both methods exhibited similar precision, but electromyography maintained accuracy even when used outside recommended age or weight limits, while kinemyography's precision decreased in non-certified applications. Additionally, a significant proportion of kinemyography measurements indicated inadequate neuromuscular recovery, highlighting the importance of baseline assessments prior to neuromuscular blockade.

Risk assessment and prevention of postoperative and postprocedural respiratory failure: recommendations from an international expert panel

Jul 31, 2026

The authors aimed to develop practice recommendations for the risk assessment and prevention of postoperative and postprocedural respiratory failure, a significant complication affecting millions of patients annually. Through a structured expert panel process, they synthesized current literature and expert opinions to refine 54 preliminary statements into 13 actionable recommendations and 15 suggestions, focusing on modifiable risk factors and practical strategies for implementation. These guidelines are intended to enhance patient care and serve as a foundation for future research in this area.

Preoperative electrocardiography for predicting cardiovascular events after noncardiac surgery: a secondary analysis of two prospective cohorts

Jul 31, 2026

The authors aimed to determine whether preoperative resting electrocardiograms (ECGs), including conventional features and deep-learning analysis via the PreOpNet algorithm, could enhance the prediction of cardiovascular events following noncardiac surgery beyond established clinical risk scores. Their analysis of two prospective cohorts revealed that while incorporating ECG findings did provide some improvement in predictive performance, the overall incremental value for assessing cardiovascular risk was limited. Thus, preoperative ECG assessments may not significantly enhance risk stratification in this context.