Anesthesiologists 2002 Annual Meeting

The latest medical research, equipment and techniques for providing safe anesthesia and pain management care to patients will be unveiled when the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) holds its annual meeting on October 12-16, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. Members of the media are invited to review all of the notable scientific presentations and exhibits, many of which have direct bearing on their community's health and safe anesthesia care.

Among the topics of public interest to be discussed include:

* A bioterrorism simulator that can teach doctors to recognize the symptoms of human exposure to a biological agent and what is the best possible treatment. * A powder made from potato starch is shown to instantaneously stop bleeding in minor cuts, surgical incisions and even battlefield wounds.* New findings indicate that patients with naturally red hair require more anesthesia than others. * The latest statistics indicate just how safe it is for mothers-to-be to have anesthesia and analgesia for childbirth.* Needle-free and painless injections for vaccinations may become just as common for surgery. * More than 100,000 pacemakers are placed each year, but why are so many of these people jeopardizing their lives even years after the procedure?