In this issue of the Anesthesiology Clinics, there are many exciting pharmacology reviews giving us a glimpse into future practice. It begins with a definitive review by Drs. Pamela Palmer and Ronald Miller on current and developing methods of patient-controlled analgesia. There are five focused reviews on drugs designed and utilized in pain management and drug addiction: buprenorphine, acetaminophen, an oral sufentanil preparation, and tapentadol. These reviews are timely because so many new drugs have come to market to modulate and to better target pain and inflammation. Likewise, there has been an explosion in use of a number of anticoagulants that modulate the coagulation cascade. Two reviews provide a clear understanding of how many of these newer agents work, discussion of the new recombinant activated factor VII (Novo7?), and guidelines for these drugs in clinical anesthesia and pain practice. Evolving understanding and clinical use of dexmetomidine, in the OR, ICU, and peripheral sites has reshaped the practice of sedation for a large population of patients. These topics describe highly clinically relevant perioperative agents. There are also reviews on pharmacological options in the management of patients with hypertension, cardiac disease, and new cardiac anesthesia agents in the OR and ICU. There is a special review on the role of statins in cardiac anesthesia, a very exciting and evolving topic. Also reviewed is levosimendan, a calcium sensitizer utilized for acutely decompensated congestive heart failure and shown to reduce cardiac troponin release after cardiac surgery. Lastly, the future of induction and inhalation agents and structure-based modifications are examined.

As the practice of obstetric anesthesia becomes increasingly recognized as a major subspecialty of anesthesia, there is a growing interest from current practitioners to evolve their neuraxial, regional, and general anesthesia techniques and understanding of the latest evidence. Obstetric Anesthesia Practice is a timely update in the field, providing a concise, evidence-based, and richly illustrated book for students, trainees, and practicing clinicians. Comprehensive in scope, this book addresses the essential topics necessary for the practitioner to quickly assess the patient and risk stratify them, decide on the type of analgesic and anesthetic plan most appropriate as well as its feasibility and safety, provide expert consultation to the other members of the obstetric team, manage anesthesia care and complications, and arrange for advanced care if needed.

All physicians are involved in the management of pain at some level or the other, but of the various specialties and health professions, orthopedic surgeons are at the frontline of delivering perioperative pain care for a wide variety of problems that range from skeletal trauma, joint replacement procedures, bone tumors and spinal conditions. Perioperative Pain Management for Orthopedic and Spine Surgery offers a concise yet comprehensive overview of the surgical spine pain management field to help practitioners effectively plan and enhance perioperative pain control. Chapters provide guidance on solving common dilemmas facing surgeons who are managing patients with pain related problems and clinical decision-making, and explore essential topics required for the trainee and practitioner to quickly assess the patient with pain, to diagnose pain and painful conditions, determine the feasibility and safety of surgical procedure needed, and arrange for advanced pain management consults and care if needed. This text also explores the latest evolving techniques and appropriate utilization of modern equipment and technology to safely provide care. Highly accessible and written by experts in the field, Perioperative Pain Management for Orthopedic and Spine Surgery is an ideal resource for practicing orthopedic and spine surgeons, anesthesiologists, critical care personnel, residents, medical students.

As the practice of vascular anesthesia becomes increasingly recognized as a major subspecialty of anesthesia, there is a growing need among current practitioners to evolve their neuraxial, regional, and general anesthesia techniques and expand their understanding of the latest evidence. Vascular Anesthesia Procedures will review the essential topics of the field from vascular anatomy to common vascular procedures, anesthetic techniques in general and regional anesthesia, complications, perioperative patient monitoring, and post-operative management. Chapters are concise, up-to-date, evidence-based, and richly illustrated throughout.

As the practice of thoracic anesthesia becomes increasingly recognized as a major subspecialty of anesthesia, there is a growing need among current practitioners to evolve their neuraxial, regional, and general anesthesia techniques and expand their understanding of the latest evidence. Thoracic Anesthesia Procedures is a timely update in the field, providing a concise, evidence-based, and richly illustrated book ideal for students, trainees, and practicing clinicians. Comprehensive in scope, this book addresses essential topics such as thoracic physiology and pathophysiology, airway devices and other equipment, anesthetic techniques, surgical considerations, ventilation techniques, and postoperative care.