Released: 24-Nov-2015 9:05 AM EST
Report Puts Treatments for Low Back Pain in Jeopardy
American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA)

Thousands of patients with low-back pain could be left without access to potentially helpful treatments as a result of a recent study by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) that is likely to influence reimbursement decision making. Pain specialists at the 14th Annual Pain Medicine Meeting in Miami, FL, this past week, explained why the “AHRQ Technology Assessment Report: Pain Management Injection Therapies for Low Back Pain” is flawed and steps that the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA), along with 13 other pain medicine groups, collectively known as the Multisociety Pain Workgroup (MPW) are taking to bring these concerns to regulatory groups.

Released: 24-Nov-2015 12:05 PM EST
Grants Will Be Used to Address Chronic Pain Epidemic
American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA)

The Chronic Pain Research Grant supports studies in pain medicine that will guide clinical practice for physicians and improve patient health.

Release date: 29-Feb-2016 3:05 PM EST
asra mourns the passing of dr p prithvi raj founding father
American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA)

Dr. Phulchand Prithvi Raj, one of ASRA's five founding fathers and an inspiration to generations of physicians, passed away on February 27. He was 84.

Released: 23-Mar-2016 1:05 PM EDT
Peripheral Nerve Blocks Linked to Improved Outcomes in Hip and Knee Arthroplasty
American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA)

The use of peripheral nerve blocks (PNBs) is associated with better medical and economic outcomes in patients receiving hip and knee replacement, according to research being presented at the 41st Annual Regional Anesthesiology and Acute Pain Medicine Meeting.

Released: 4-Mar-2016 2:05 PM EST
Lauren Steffel Named 2016 Resident/Fellow of the Year by ASRA
American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA)

The American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine has named Dr. Lauren Steffel the 2016 Resident/Fellow of the Year.

Released: 25-Mar-2016 8:05 AM EDT
Adductor Canal Block Associated with More Promising Outcomes Following Total Knee Arthroplasty
American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA)

Patients receiving ACB demonstrated statistically significant increases in quadriceps muscle strength, which is potentially associated with a quicker return to mobility.

Released: 12-Apr-2016 11:05 AM EDT
Santhanam Suresh Receives ASRA Distinguished Service Award
American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA)

Dr. Santhanam Suresh, chair of the Department of Anesthesiology and director of the Pain Management Team at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, was awarded ASRA’s Distinguished Service Award during a ceremony held April 2nd in conjunction with the Regional Anesthesiology and Acute Pain Medicine Meeting in New Orleans, LA.

Released: 12-Apr-2016 2:05 PM EDT
Vincent Chan Receives Gaston Labat Award at ASRA in New Orleans
American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA)

Vincent W.S. Chan, MD, FRCPC, received the prestigious Gaston Labat Award on Saturday, April 2nd, at the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine Meeting in New Orleans, LA.

Released: 18-Jun-2016 10:05 AM EDT
Coverage for Proven Nonopioid Intervention Denied for Treatment of Chronic Pain in Some States
American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA)

In the fight to end opioid abuse, Blue Cross Blue Shield in at least two states is denying coverage of a proven nonopioid treatment for chronic pain

Released: 3-Aug-2016 9:05 AM EDT
Koller Grant Recipient Will Study Post-Surgical Pain After Thoracoscopic Surgery
American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA)

The Carl Koller Memorial Research Grant has been awarded to Harsha Shanthanna, MBBS, MD, MSc, to conduct a study addressing post-surgical pain after thoracoscopic surgery.

Released: 12-Aug-2016 11:05 AM EDT
Honorio Benzon Receives ASRA’s Prestigious John Bonica Lectureship for 2016
American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA)

Honorio T. Benzon, MD, has been named the 2016 John J. Bonica Award recipient by the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA). The award is named for John J. Bonica, MD, who championed the collaboration of multidisciplinary specialists in the evaluation and treatment of patients with pain. Awardees embody the ideals of John Bonica and his passion for pain medicine as manifested through their contributions to research, teaching, and clinical practice.

Released: 6-Oct-2016 1:05 PM EDT
Best of Meeting Abstracts Announced for ASRA's 15th Annual Pain Medicine Meeting
American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA)

ASRA has selected five "Best of Meeting" abstracts and three "Resident/Fellow Travel Award" winners for the 15th Annual Pain Medicine Meeting to be held November 17-19 in San Diego. Abstracts can be viewed at https://www.asra.com/page/1330/best-of-meeting-awards

Released: 24-Oct-2016 12:05 PM EDT
ASRA Position Addresses Use of Cannabis for Pain. Dr. Samer Narouze is available for interviews
American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA)

Pain physicians face many challenges in addressing the use of marijuana for chronic pain. Although evidence supports its use, many questions remain. ASRA is asking that marijuana be rescheduled and that clinical research guidelines be developed so that physicians can act in the best interest of their patients.

Released: 28-Oct-2016 10:05 AM EDT
Preoperative Continuous Peripheral Nerve Blocks in Hip Fracture Patients
American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA)

When developing a plan to care for elderly patients with hip fractures, amassing a multidisciplinary team is the first step. With all stakeholders present charting the patient’s journey from arrival to discharge, a discussion of all areas of care and opportunities to reduce unwanted variability and improve care can take place.

Released: 5-Dec-2016 1:05 PM EST
ASRA Board Weighs in on the Opioid Crisis with Official Position Statement
American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA)

The opioid crisis in America is the result of a number of complicating factors and, therefore, does not have a simple solution. Addressing this important issue requires a comprehensive, multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary approach, according to the authors of ASRA's Statement on the Opioid Crisis, approved by the Board of Directors at its November 2016 meeting.

Released: 5-Jan-2017 8:05 AM EST
Chronic Pain Grant Will Study Botox® Use in Children With Migraines
American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA)

ASRA Member Shalini Shah, MD, of the University of California, Irvine, is the principal investigator of the latest study to be awarded ASRA's Chronic Pain Research Grant.

Released: 5-Jan-2017 9:05 AM EST
Nigel Sharrock to Receive Gaston Labat Award at ASRA in San Francisco
American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA)

Dr. Nigel Sharrock will present the prestigious Gaston Labat Award Lectureship on April 8th at the Excellence in ASRA Awards Luncheon, held in conjunction with the 42nd Annual Regional Anesthesiology and Acute Pain Medicine Meeting in San Francisco, CA.

Released: 6-Jan-2017 3:05 PM EST
Vincent Chan to Receive Distinguished Service Award
American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA)

Vincent W.S. Chan, MD, FRCPC, professor of Anesthesia at the University of Toronto, has been selected to receive ASRA's Distinguished Service Award.

Released: 9-Mar-2017 11:05 AM EST
Study Finds Insurance Status Affects Morbidity and Mortality in Patients Receiving Total Hip Replacement
American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA)

A study by Hannah Xu and colleagues at the New York Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Cornell Medical College has been selected as an ASRA Best of Meeting Abstract. The research found higher mortality, readmission rates, and postoperative complications in patients with Medicaid and non-private insurance undergoing total hip replacement than those with private insurance.

Released: 15-Mar-2017 8:05 AM EDT
Study Finds IV Steroids for Nerve Blocks Associated With Decreased Need for Pain Medication
American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA)

A study conducted by researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center found that IV dexamethasone did not prolong nerve blocks but did decrease the amount of pain medicine needed and extended the time before the first pain medicine was requested.

Released: 14-Mar-2017 6:05 PM EDT
Study Questions Anticoagulation Guidelines for Performing Regional Anesthesia Procedures
American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA)

Findings suggest longer wait time needed for some patients receiving spinal or epidural anesthesia to avoid bleeding risk

Release date: 14-Mar-2017 7:05 PM EDT
study looks at use of local anesthetics for peripheral nerve blocks
American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA)

Researchers at Nordsjællands Hospital in Hillerød, Denmark, studied the use of local anesthetic nerve blocks in surgery patients and found that large volumes of local anesthetics only seem to increase the risk of toxicity without prolonging the duration or making it more predictable

Released: 14-Mar-2017 8:05 PM EDT
Dr. Hari Kalagara Named 2017 Resident/Fellow of the Year
American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA)

Resident at Cleveland Clinic responsible for organizing popular ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia workshops has been named ASRA's Resident/Fellow of the Year.

Released: 1-Nov-2017 9:00 AM EDT
Research Identifies Which Patients Benefit from Additional Testing to Find CSF Leaks
American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA)

Researchers at Mayo Clinic have identified which patients benefit from costly diagnostic testing to identify cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks and those who can be treated with less invasive testing. CSF leaks lead to a condition called hypovolemia which can cause disabling headaches and even dementia syndrome.

Released: 1-Nov-2017 9:00 AM EDT
Research Identifies Factors Associated With Successful Radiofrequency Ablation of Lumbar Facet Joints
American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA)

Researchers at Johns Hopkins have identified patient attributes associated with better outcomes from radiofrequency ablation of lumbar facet joints. Lumbar facet problems account for 25% of chronic low back pain.

Released: 26-Oct-2017 1:05 PM EDT
Regional Anesthesia Linked to Improved Outcomes for Breast Cancer Patients
American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA)

According to research published in Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, the use of regional anesthesia is associated with lower levels of inflammation and a better immune response in breast cancer surgery patients.

Released: 27-Oct-2017 8:05 AM EDT
Study of Dura Mater Lesions Debunks Myths of Post-Dural Puncture Headache
American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA)

According to research published in Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, the type of needle used in certain kinds of anesthesia is not linked to post-dural puncture headache.

Released: 27-Oct-2017 8:05 AM EDT
Multiple Pain Medicine Techniques Found to Reduce Pain and Need for Opioids Following Knee Replacement Surgery
American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA)

According to research published in Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, using more than one type of pain medicine to target different pain pathways has been shown to decrease pain while reducing side effects of knee replacement surgery.

Released: 27-Nov-2017 11:05 AM EST
Multisociety Pain Workgroup Issues Statement Repudiating Conclusions of MINT Trials
American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA)

The MINT Trials are irredeemably flawed by study design, patient selection, procedural technique, and data analysis. That's the conclusion of a statement signed November 21st by the Multisociety Pain Workgroup (MPW), a collection of pain societies comprised of physicians who prescribe and/or perform interventional spine procedures to accurately diagnose and treat patients suffering from spine pathologies.

Released: 17-Jan-2018 8:00 AM EST
Gregory Liguori to Receive ASRA's 2018 Distinguished Service Award
American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA)

Gregory A. Liguori, MD, of the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) and Weill Cornell Medical College has been selected to receive ASRA’s 2018 Distinguished Service Award at the 2018 World Congress on Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine in New York City.

Released: 14-Feb-2018 8:00 AM EST
Best of Meeting Abstracts Announced for Historic World Congress on Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA)

Hip fracture, general vs regional, spine surgery among the topics of Best of Meeting Abstracts selected for special presentation at ASRA's 2018 World Congress on Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine

Released: 16-Feb-2018 1:05 PM EST
Dr. Kellie M. Jaremko Named 2018 Resident/Fellow of the Year
American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA)

Dr. Kellie Jaremko, MD, PhD, an anesthesiology resident at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, has been named ASRA’s 2018 Resident/Fellow of the Year.

Released: 16-Apr-2018 8:00 AM EDT
Drug Shortages Threatening Patient Care
American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA)

Anesthesiologists across the world are experiencing severe shortages of anesthetic medications that are key to providing safe and effective patient care. The result is work-arounds – finding other approaches that can result in the best possible outcomes. Physicians and other clinicians will discuss their personal experiences and challenges as well as methods they’ve found to manage this crisis during an informal, open-format discussion on Saturday, April 21st at 11:30 am in the O’Neill Room on the 4th Floor. Dr. Edward Mariano, chief of the Anesthesiology and Perioperative Care Service and associate chief of staff for inpatient surgical services at VA Palo Alto Health Care System, will moderate the discussion. Members of the press are invited to attend to learn more about the challenges and threats these shortages pose and strategies to manage until more supplies are produced and distributed. Read more here.

Released: 3-Apr-2018 7:05 AM EDT
Chronic Pain or Pending Medical Procedure? New Guidelines Promote Safety for Patients on Antithrombotic Drugs
American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA)

Patient safety is the focus of newly published updates to consensus statements that address the use of antithrombotic drugs by individuals who may require regional anesthesia or interventions targeting acute or chronic pain.

Released: 5-Apr-2018 1:00 PM EDT
Best of Meeting Abstract: Preliminary Experience with Epidural and Perineural Catheter Localization with Pulsed Wave Doppler Ultrasonography
American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA)

Pulsed wave Doppler (PWD) shows potential as a marker to verify catheter tip location in patients receiving peripheral nerve and epidural catheters for surgery.

Released: 5-Apr-2018 1:00 PM EDT
Best of Meeting Abstract: Predictors of Postoperative Pain in 1,008 Spine Surgery Patients
American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA)

Use of 2 or more different classes of nonopioid analgesic medications in the interoperative period associated with reduction in postoperative pain.

Released: 16-Apr-2018 7:00 AM EDT
Peripheral Nerve Blocks Linked to Less Pain, Fewer Opioids in Patients Undergoing Knee Replacement
American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA)

Researchers are continually working to find treatments that reduce the need for opioids and better manage patient pain. One example is the use of peripheral nerve blocks in patients undergoing the common procedure of a knee replacement. Dr. David Kim of the Hospital for Special Surgery will discuss his findings with the media during a briefing on Saturday April 21st at 9 am in the Press Room (Gilbert) on 4th Floor. Dr. Kim received a Best of Meeting Abstract Award for the 2018 World Congress on Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine. His abstract can be viewed here.

Released: 5-Apr-2018 1:00 PM EDT
Best Of Meeting Abstract: Study Finds Spinal Anesthesia Associated with Better Outcomes After Hip Fracture Repair Compared to General Anesthesia
American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA)

Spinal anesthesia was associated with lower risk of mortality compared to general anesthesia in a group of elderly hip fracture patients.

Released: 9-Apr-2018 2:05 PM EDT
ASRA 2018 Research Grant Recipients Selected
American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA)

ASRA has announced the 2018 recipients of three of its research grants including the inaugural recipients of ASRA's new Young Investigator and Graduate Student Awards. The studies have implications for patients with cancer, reduced opioid use, and potential local anesthetic options.

Released: 10-Apr-2018 8:05 AM EDT
Alain Borgeat, a “Pioneer” in the Field, Named Gaston Labat Award Winner
American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA)

Known for his pioneering work on the development and use of propofol as well as perineural catheters for continuous nerve blocks, Dr. Alain Borgeat of Switzerland has been awarded the prestigious Gaston Labat Award for his many contributions to research and education in regional anesthesia and pain medicine.

Released: 16-Apr-2018 8:00 AM EDT
Apps Help Doctors Protect Patients Taking Anticoagulants
American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA)

Providing anesthesia and pain medicine to patients taking anticoagulants can be dangerous due to serious drug interactions. This app gives doctors access to warnings and critical information related to the many drug interactions based on the most up-to-date guidelines available.

Released: 27-Aug-2018 12:00 PM EDT
Dr. Charles Berde Is ASRA’s 2018 John Bonica Lecture Award Winner
American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA)

Charles B. Berde, MD, PhD, of Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School has been selected to receive ASRA’s 2018 John Bonica Award.

12-Nov-2018 12:00 AM EST
Best of Meeting Abstract: Tobacco Linked to Cognitive Dysfunction in Patients With Fibromyalgia
American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA)

Patients with fibromyalgia who use tobacco products are at greater risk for cognitive impairment and other symptoms that affect quality of life, according to the results of a study from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MI.

12-Nov-2018 12:00 AM EST
Best of Meeting Abstract: Opiate-Sparing Analgesia Combats Opioid Epidemic Without Affecting Pain Control
American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA)

A minimal opiate supply, just a two-day course compared to a traditional two-week prescription, along with a scheduled-dose multimodal pain regimen after surgery limits the use of opiate medication by patients and, subsequently, opiate-related adverse effects while still providing effective pain control and high patient satisfaction.


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