RESULTS The first part of the study showed that RTx patients presented significantly lower serum content of all the examined PUFA, in comparison to the CKD-ND group and controls. For instance, EPA in RTx equaled 0.65 ± 0.32%, in CKD-ND 0.82 ± 0.43%, and in controls 1.06 ± 0.68% (P = .005). No significant correlations were found between serum PUFA and diet in RTx patients. The second part of the study revealed no significant difference in the adipose tissue PUFA between CKD patients at the time of kidney transplantation and controls. CONCLUSIONS RTx patients present with low serum content of potentially beneficial PUFA. This finding does not seem to be solely due to an altered diet. Observed disorders might result from immunosuppressive drugs or other, yet undetermined, causes. Surgeries and chronic pain states of the upper extremity are quite common and pose unique challenges for the clinical anesthesiology and pain specialists. learn more Most innervation of the upper extremity involves the brachial plexus. The four most common brachial plexus blocks performed in clinical setting include the interscalene, supraclavicular, infraclavicular, and axillary brachial plexus blocks. These blocks are most commonly performed with the use of ultrasound-guided techniques, whereby analgesia is achieved by anesthetizing the brachial plexus at different levels such as the roots, divisions, cords, and branches. Additional regional anesthetic techniques for upper extremity surgery include wrist, intercostobrachial, and digital nerve blocks, which are most frequently performed using landmark anatomical techniques. This review provides a comprehensive summary of each of these blocks including anatomy, best practice techniques, and potential complications. Published by Elsevier Ltd.It is common for patients of all ages to experience some degree of cognitive disturbance following surgery. In most cases, impairment appears mild and is restricted to the acute post-operative period, resolving steadily and speedily. In a small number of cases, however, deficits may be more pronounced and/or endure for longer periods, significantly delaying recovery and increasing the risk of serious clinical complications. The ability to accurately measure postoperative cognition, and track recovery of function, is an important clinical task. This review explores practical and methodological issues that may confound this process, examining how best to obtain reliable and meaningful measures of cognition before and after surgery. It considers neuropsychological test selection, administration, analysis and interpretation and offers evidence-based practice points for clinicians and researchers. Acute liver failure (ALF) is defined as severe hepatic dysfunction (marked transaminases elevation, detoxification disorder (jaundice and coagulopathy with international normal ratio (INR) > 1.5), the presence of hepatic encephalopathy, and exclusion of underlying chronic liver disease, and a secondary cause like sepsis or cardiogenic shock. Reasons for ALF include paracetamol and warfarin toxicity, autoimmune and viral (mainly hepatitis B and E) hepatitis, and herbal and dietary supplements. Even in terms of meticulous and careful review of the patient, around 20-30% of the reasons remains unknown. In order of its rarity, a randomized controlled trial could hardly be done. However, because of improved ICU treatment, the mortality, even in the advanced stage of ALF decreased. However, in 5-10% of the cases an emergency transplantation is required. This justifies the treatment of this patient cohort in institutions that can provide this kind of treatment. Liver disease is associated with complex disturbances of hemostasis that affect both the pro- and anticoagulant systems. This results in a "rebalanced" coagulation system that may result in bleeding diathesis or increased clot formation. Conventional coagulation models of coagulation such as the waterfall cascade model and conventional coagulation tests are not able to reflect these complex changes as they only account for deficiencies of the pro-coagulant system. Viscoelastic tests such as rotational thromboelastometry or thromboelastography may be more suitable to assess coagulation and guide transfusions in liver transplants. Specific recommendations for transfusion of platelets, fresh frozen plasma, cryoprecipitate, and fibrinogen as well as factor concentrates are discussed. In general transfusion should not only be guided by laboratory values but it also includes a clinical assessment of clot formation. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with high perioperative mortality in patients undergoing liver transplantation (LT). In the era of Model of End-stage Liver Disease score-based allocation, more patients with impaired renal function are receiving LT. The majority of preoperative AKI is secondary to azotemia, including hepatorenal syndrome - a progressive form of renal impairment unique to liver failure. Prompt recognition and initiation of cause-directed therapies are central to improving post-transplant survival. Given that, the healthcare providers must develop an expertise in liver failure-related renal complications, specifically their management and perioperative implications. Notably, AKI may complicate intraoperative course, exacerbating hemodynamic instability, metabolic acidosis, and electrolyte and coagulation abnormalities. Adjunctive intraoperative continuous renal replacement therapy has been employed; however, prospective studies remain necessary to validate potential benefits. New and extended indications, older age, higher cardiovascular risk, and the long-standing cirrhosis-associated complications mandate specific skills for an appropriate preoperative assessment of the liver transplant (LT) candidate. The incidence of cardiac diseases (dysrhythmias, cardiomyopathies, coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease) are increasing among LT recipients however, no consensus exists among clinical practice guidelines for cardiovascular screening and risk stratification. In spite of different "transplant center-centered protocols", basic "pillars" are common (electrocardiography, baseline echocardiography, functional assessment). Owing to intrinsic limitations, yields and relevance of noninvasive stress tests, under constant scrutiny even if used, are discussed, focusing the definition of the "high risk" candidate and exploring noninvasive imaging and new forms of stress imaging. The aim is to find an appropriate and rational stepwise algorithm. The final commitment is to select the right candidate for a finite resource, the graft, able to save (and change) lives.