Welcome to the Medical College of Wisconsin Department of Anesthesiology
The Department of Anesthesiology strives to provide exemplary patient care, advance standards through development of innovative applications of processes and technology, and pursue research that defines novel therapies in a dynamic academic environment.
Patient Care
Providing cutting-edge, interdisciplinary and compassionate care of the highest quality
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Welcome From the Chair
Our Department focuses on advancing the practice of anesthesiology and the science of medicine. This mission – combined with our rich history – informs all that we do.
Since our establishment as an independent Department in 1965, we have experienced dramatic clinical, scientific and academic growth; and throughout the years have consistently been recognized by our peers in the Medical College of Wisconsin and its affiliated hospitals for our leadership and our innovation.
About Us
History and background
MCW's Department of Anesthesiology was established in 1957 as a division of the Department of Surgery. By 1965, Anesthesiology had become an independent department. Since then, the scope of Resident and Fellowship training, research and patient care have continually increased. Approximately 100 Interns, Residents and Fellows are involved in training annually. Both clinical and research faculty pursue clinical and scientific research.
MCW's Anesthesiology Residency Program is the only anesthesiology training program in Southeast Wisconsin. Our residents receive an exclusive opportunity to learn and to participate in patient care at several outstanding, affiliated area hospitals. The broad diversity and sheer number of anesthetic cases allow MCW residents the opportunity to care for a variety of patients and to train in a full range of surgical procedures.
ACGME approved Fellowships are available in Critical Care, Pain Management, Cardiothoracic, Obstetrics and Pediatric Anesthesia; the Department also offers fellowships in Regional Anesthesia and Acute Pain Services and Neurosurgical Anesthesia.
Our Mission
The Medical College of Wisconsin Department of Anesthesiology will:
- Provide exemplary, compassionate patient care through a consistent commitment to evidence-based, patient-centered medicine.
- Advance the standards for delivery of outstanding patient care through the development of innovative application of processes and technology.
- Pursue research that will define novel therapies in a dynamic academic environment.
- Improve the quality of the communities we serve through respect, collaboration, mindful practice, and continuous education.
Contact Us
Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals
Department of Anesthesiology
9200 W. Wisconsin Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53226
(414) 805-8700
(414) 805-6147 (fax)
Already a member of the department?
Cynthia A. Lien, MD
Department Chair

Recent Publications
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Nuclear Cell-Free DNA Predicts Adverse Events After Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery.
(Tanem JM, Scott JP, Hoffman GM, Niebler RA, Tomita-Mitchell A, Stamm KD, Liang HL, North PE, Bertrandt RA, Woods RK, Hraska V, Mitchell ME.) Ann Thorac Surg. 2023 Aug;116(2):349-356 PMID: 36332680 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85150823960 11/05/2022
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Stress Numerical Rating Scale-11: Validation in Pediatric Inpatient and Outpatient Pain Settings.
(LiaBraaten BM, Linneman N, Czarnecki ML, Davies WH, Zhang L, Simpson PM, Jastrowski Mano KE, Weisman SJ, Hainsworth KR.) Pain Manag Nurs. 2023 Aug;24(4):e7-e12 PMID: 37059666 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85152438647 04/15/2023
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(Tran H, Feng Y, Chao D, Liu QS, Hogan QH, Pan B.) Pain. 2023 Jul 14 PMID: 37463226 07/18/2023
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Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring and spinal cord stimulator implantation.
(Goel V, Kaizer AM, Jain S, Darrow D, Shankar H.) Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2023 Jul 05 PMID: 37407277 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85165073971 07/06/2023
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(SenthilKumar G, Verhagen NB, Sheriff SA, Yang X, Figueroa Castro CE, Szabo A, Taylor BW, Wainaina N, Lauer K, Gould JC, Kothari AN, N3C Consortium.) Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2023 Jun 01;324(6):H721-H731 PMID: 36930659 PMCID: PMC10151044 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85153899506 03/18/2023
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(Gumm A, Ginde S, Hoffman G, Liegl M, Mack C, Simpson P, Vo N, Telega G, Vitola B, Chugh A.) Pediatr Cardiol. 2023 May 23 PMID: 37219588 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85160257265 05/23/2023
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(Levy DT, Livingston CE, Saroukhani S, Fox EE, Wade CE, Holcomb JB, Gumbert SD, Galvagno SM Jr, Kaslow OY, Pittet JF, Pivalizza EG.) Anesth Analg. 2023 May 01;136(5):905-912 PMID: 37058726 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85152543069 04/15/2023
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(Pagel PS, Crystal GJ, Hettrick DA.) Anesthesiology. 2023 May 01;138(5):570-571 PMID: 36645859 01/17/2023
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(Abdelrahim MT, Kassels AC, Stark CW, Roberts CJ, Vogt JA, Ebert TJ.) A A Pract. 2023 May 01;17(5):e01683 PMID: 37146215 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85159329579 05/05/2023
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(Benson JW, Hraska V, Scott JP, Stuth EAE, Yan K, Zhang J, Niebler RA.) World J Pediatr Congenit Heart Surg. 2023 May;14(3):282-288 PMID: 36919404 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85150997876 03/16/2023
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(Zirpe KG, Alunpipatthanachai B, Matin N, Gulek BG, Blissitt PA, Palmieri K, Rosenblatt K, Athiraman U, Gollapudy S, Theard MA, Wahlster S, Vavilala MS, Lele AV, Safe-Neuro-Transport Collaborators.) J Clin Med. 2023 Apr 28;12(9) PMID: 37176625 PMCID: PMC10179223 05/13/2023
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17β-Estradiol promotes sex-specific dysfunction in isolated human arterioles.
(SenthilKumar G, Katunaric B, Bordas-Murphy H, Young M, Doren EL, Schulz ME, Widlansky ME, Freed JK.) Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2023 Mar 01;324(3):H330-H337 PMID: 36607795 PMCID: PMC9925162 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85147536237 01/07/2023
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(Selim MA, Weierstahl K, Eriksen C, Pearson T, Woehlck H.) Cureus. 2023 Mar;15(3):e36045 PMID: 37056550 PMCID: PMC10089373 04/15/2023
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(Yörükoğlu HU, Şahin T, Öge Kula A.) Turk J Anaesthesiol Reanim. 2023 Feb;51(1):43-48 PMID: 36847318 PMCID: PMC10081015 02/28/2023
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Management of Subcutaneous Heparin Overdose
(Matthew GonzalezrnRachel Budithi.) . 04/15/2023
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Lessons and Future Directions for a Gender Equity Pledge Campaign.
(Ellinas EH, Gilman LJ, Farkas AH.) Womens Health Rep (New Rochelle). 2023;4(1):251-261 PMID: 37284482 PMCID: PMC10240325 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85162171920 06/07/2023
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Chasm to Bridge: Pathway to Diversity
(Christopher Fadumiye MD.) ASA Monitor February 2023, Vol. 87, 26.. 02/01/2023
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Management of Incidental Aortic Valve Mass
(Coghlan C, Daubenspeck D, González LS, Feider A, Chaney MA.) Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia. August 2023;37(8):1495-1502 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85158916617 08/01/2023
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(Pillay SB, Gross WL, Janecek JK, Binder JR, Oleksy AJ, Swanson SJ.) Epilepsy Behav. 2023 Jan;138:109004 PMID: 36473300 PMCID: PMC9885384 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85143541324 12/07/2022
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(Thilen SR, Weigel WA, Todd MM, Dutton RP, Lien CA, Grant SA, Szokol JW, Eriksson LI, Yaster M, Grant MD, Agarkar M, Marbella AM, Blanck JF, Domino KB.) Anesthesiology. 2023 Jan 01;138(1):13-41 PMID: 36520073 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85144196423 12/16/2022
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(Pagryzinski AR, Schena S, Novalija J, Almassi GH, Pagel PS, Hang D.) Int J Surg Case Rep. 2023 Jan;102:107855 PMID: 36610355 PMCID: PMC9829749 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85145728191 01/08/2023
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(Palkovic B, Mustapic S, Saric I, Stuth EAE, Stucke AG, Zuperku EJ.) Front Physiol. 2023;14:1156076 PMID: 37362432 PMCID: PMC10285059 06/26/2023
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Methylprednisolone for Heart Surgery in Infants - A Randomized, Controlled Trial.
(Hill KD, Kannankeril PJ, Jacobs JP, Baldwin HS, Jacobs ML, O'Brien SM, Bichel DP, Graham EM, Blasiole B, Resheidat A, Husain AS, Kumar SR, Kirchner JL, Gallup DS, Turek JW, Bleiweis M, Mettler B, Benscoter A, Wald E, Karamlou T, Van Bergen AH, Overman D, Eghtesady P, Butts R, Kim JS, Scott JP, Anderson BR, Swartz MF, McConnell PI, Vener DF, Li JS, STRESS Network Investigators.) N Engl J Med. 2022 Dec 08;387(23):2138-2149 PMID: 36342116 PMCID: PMC9843240 11/08/2022
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New Opioid Persistence in Veterans Following Major and Minor Surgery.
(Kiamanesh CS, Fuller MC, Lu M, Nordin EJ, Ma JX, Dugan SM, Cummings CE, Sherman K, Ebert TJ.) Mil Med. 2022 Nov 01;188(7-8):e1813-20 PMID: 36317545 PMCID: PMC10362993 11/02/2022
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Isolated Left Upper Extremity Desaturation and Pulmonary Hypertension: What is the Diagnosis?
(Richardson A, Scott JP, White J, Labovsky K.) J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2022 Nov;36(11):4213-4216 PMID: 35985971 08/20/2022
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(Malas KM, Lambert DS, Heisner JS, Camara AKS, Stowe DF.) Biochim Biophys Acta Bioenerg. 2022 Nov 01;1863(8):148908 PMID: 35961396 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85136505582 08/13/2022
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Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for COVID-19: An evolving experience through multiple waves.
(Smith NJ, Park S, Zundel MT, Dong H, Szabo A, Cain MT, Durham LA 3rd.) Artif Organs. 2022 Nov;46(11):2257-2265 PMID: 35957490 PMCID: PMC9538401 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85135294133 08/13/2022
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(Hang D, Chandrashekarappa K, Schilling K, Ubert A, de Oliveira N, Pagel PS.) Perfusion. 2022 Oct 27:2676591221137471 PMID: 36301682 10/28/2022
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(Ebert TJ, Cumming CE, Roberts CJ, Anglin MF, Gandhi S, Anderson CJ, Stekiel TA, Gliniecki R, Dugan SM, Abdelrahim MT, Klinewski VB, Sherman K.) Anesth Analg. 2022 Oct 01;135(4):807-814 PMID: 35759402 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85138446732 06/28/2022
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(Pugh DB, Saxena A, Barta LE, Pinkerton C, Bajic J, Boettcher BT, Woehlck HJ.) A A Pract. 2022 Oct 01;16(10):e01631 PMID: 36599025 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85145535097 01/05/2023
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(Boettcher BT, Woehlck HJ, Makker H, Pagel PS, Freed JK.) Int J Surg Case Rep. 2022 Sep;98:107488 PMID: 35981485 PMCID: PMC9399471 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85135893802 08/19/2022
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A Rare Complication in a Child Undergoing Resection of a Huge Thoracic Lipoma.
(Meinecke BJ, Clarke WR, Pagel PS.) J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2022 May;36(5):1498-1499 PMID: 34419360 08/23/2021
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Saddle block anesthetic technique for benign outpatient anorectal surgery.
(Peterson KJ, Dyrud P, Johnson C, Blank JJ, Eastwood DC, Butterfield GE, Stekiel TA, Peterson CY, Ludwig KA, Ridolfi TJ.) Surgery. 2022 Mar;171(3):615-620 PMID: 34887088 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85120816955 12/11/2021
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Challenges and Potential in Targeted Muscle Reinnervation in Pediatric Amputees.
(Vial B, Lieb M, Pysick H, Hettinger P, Rusy L, Hoben G.) Pediatrics. 2022 Jan 01;149(1) PMID: 34966922 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85123968552 12/31/2021
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Spinal Cord Stimulation for Neurogenic Claudication Associated with Lumbar Spinal Stenosis.
(Awad AJ, Jex B, Kirchen G, Peterson S, Endrizzi SA, Pahapill PA.) Pain Physician. 2021 Dec;24(8):E1247-E1253 PMID: 34793651 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85121993906 11/19/2021
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(Rusy DA, Honkanen A, Landrigan-Ossar MF, Chatterjee D, Schwartz LI, Lalwani K, Dollar JR, Clark R, Diaz CD, Deutsch N, Warner DO, Soriano SG.) Anesth Analg. 2021 Sep 01;133(3):562-568 PMID: 33780391 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85113171919 03/30/2021
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(Gowda V, Ehrenfeld JM.) J Med Syst. 2021 Aug 28;45(10):89 PMID: 34453616 PMCID: PMC8397846 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85113612375 08/29/2021
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(Bence CM, Jarzembowski JA, Belter L, Berens RJ, Henrickson KJ, Hoffman GM, Jackson F, Kehl KS, Oldham KT, Scott JP, Tassone JC, Woger N, Yale E, Gourlay DM.) Pediatr Surg Int. 2021 Jul;37(7):871-880 PMID: 33715083 PMCID: PMC7955904 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85102600575 03/15/2021
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(O'Rourke MJ, Keshock MC, Boxhorn CE, Correll DJ, O'Glasser AY, Gazelka HM, Urman RD, Mauck K.) Mayo Clin Proc. 2021 May;96(5):1325-1341 PMID: 33618850 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85101113964 02/24/2021
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Use of Liposomal Bupivacaine in Pediatric Peripheral Nerve Blocks after Traumatic Amputation.
(Halenda GM, Voulgarelis S.) Case Rep Anesthesiol. 2021;2021:8092204 PMID: 34434583 PMCID: PMC8382517 08/27/2021
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Regional Anesthesia, Cost, Operating Room and Personnel Management
(Laur JJ, Dexter F.) Textbook of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Management. 04/20/2021
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Bleeding After LVAD Implant: If Things Do Not Add Up, Take a Look!
(Park SY, Plambeck C, Joyce LD, Joyce DL.) Innovations (Phila). 2021;16(5):488-490 PMID: 34605310 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85116323530 10/05/2021
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Pain Management in Neurosurgery
(Yifan Xu MD, PhD, Kimberly M. Mauer MD, Amit Singh DO.) Anesthesiology Clinics. Anesthesiology Clin 39 (2021) 179–194 03/01/2021
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(Russell MD, Pinkerton C, Sherman KA, Ebert TJ, Pagel PS.) J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2020 Aug;34(8):2103-2110 PMID: 32127274 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85080133176 03/05/2020
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(Hainsworth KR, Simpson PM, Ali O, Varadarajan J, Rusy L, Weisman SJ.) Children (Basel). 2020 Jun 02;7(6) PMID: 32498300 PMCID: PMC7346135 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85116225388 06/06/2020
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(Pagel PS, Millen HT, Peterson TS, Gandhi SD, Lohr NL, Almassi GH.) J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2020 Apr;34(4):1105-1110 PMID: 31558397 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85072389550 09/29/2019
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Malignant Hyperthermia Update.
(Ellinas H, Albrecht MA.) Anesthesiol Clin. 2020 Mar;38(1):165-181 PMID: 32008650 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85078799124 02/06/2020
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Primary Care Management rnChapter 15: Cervical Spine
(Charles De Mesa, Omar Dyara.) . 02/03/2020
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(Hang D, Tawil JN, Fierro MA.) Anesthesiology. 2020 Jan;132(1):156 PMID: 31834871 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85076473541 12/14/2019
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(Kugler NW, Carver TW, Juul J, Peppard WJ, Boyle K, Drescher KM, Szabo A, Rein L, Somberg LB, Paul JS.) J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2019 Nov;87(5):1181-1188 PMID: 31425468 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85074184716 08/20/2019
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Pediatric Ambulatory Anesthesia Challenges.
(Butz SF.) Anesthesiol Clin. 2019 Jun;37(2):289-300 PMID: 31047130 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85062911828 05/03/2019
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Vaginal Diazepam for Nonrelaxing Pelvic Floor Dysfunction: The Pharmacokinetic Profile.
(Larish AM, Dickson RR, Kudgus RA, McGovern RM, Reid JM, Hooten WM, Nicholson WT, Vaughan LE, Burnett TL, Laughlin-Tommaso SK, Faubion SS, Green IC.) J Sex Med. 2019 Jun;16(6):763-766 PMID: 31010782 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85064434763 04/24/2019
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(Gluncic V, Lukić A, Hanko E, Lynch J.) A A Pract. 2019 May 15;12(10):369-371 PMID: 30543541 12/14/2018
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(Zimmerman MA, Selim M, Kim J, Saeian K, Cinquegrani MP, Connolly L, Woehlck HJ, Lauer KK, Hong JC.) Transplant Proc. 2018 Dec;50(10):3544-3548 PMID: 30577234 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85058559732 12/24/2018
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(Kim J, Fons RA, Scott JP, Eriksen CM, Lerret SM, Browning MB, Telega GW, Vitola BE, Hoffman GM, North PE, Vo NN, Zimmerman MA, Hong JC.) Transplant Proc. 2018 Nov;50(9):2630-2635 PMID: 30401364 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85055872814 11/08/2018
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(Grant TR, Ellinas EH, Kula AO, Muravyeva MY.) Int J Obstet Anesth. 2018 May;34:56-66 PMID: 29523485 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85042868891 03/11/2018
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An Unanticipated Airway Problem in a Man Undergoing Femoral-Popliteal Bypass.
(Kim SH, Vitek JC, Kryniak MP, Pagel PS.) J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2017 Dec;31(6):2312-2314 PMID: 28389185 04/09/2017
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(Tawil JN, Khatib D, Jakobsons JJ, Woehlck HJ.) Br J Anaesth. 2017 Apr 01;118(4):641 PMID: 28403423 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85019229436 04/14/2017
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Using high-fidelity simulation for critical event training.
(Willie C, Chen F, Joyner BL, Blasius K.) Med Educ. 2016 Nov;50(11):1161-1162 PMID: 27762015 10/21/2016
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(Patel S, Weierstahl KL, Shah S, Fidkowski CW.) A A Case Rep. 2016 Oct 01;7(7):146-9 PMID: 27513968 08/16/2016
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A Pulmonary Venous Blood Flow Problem During Left Upper Lobectomy.
(Pagel PS, Sethi P, Boettcher BT, Dolinski SY.) J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2016 Aug;30(4):1156-8 PMID: 27521974 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-84991577862 08/16/2016
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Case report: giant cardiac malignancy in a nine-year-old female.
(Scott JP, Troshynski TJ, Clarke WR, Woods RK, Lal DR, Berens RJ, Tower RL.) Can J Anaesth. 2012 Nov;59(11):1048-51 PMID: 22936572 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-84871224718 09/01/2012
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Simulation of a patient with severe aortic stenosis undergoing emergency abdominal surgery.
(Novalija J, Diaz CD, Drexler CM.) Simul Healthc. 2011 Aug;6(4):250-4 PMID: 21826042 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-80051801135 08/10/2011
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Use of thermally softened laryngeal mask airway in a toddler with temporomandibular joint ankylosis.
(Gluncic V, Syed VM, Chun RH, Troshynski TJ, Staudt SR.) Paediatr Anaesth. 2011 Feb;21(2):173-4 PMID: 21210889 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-78651322484 01/08/2011
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(Woehlck HJ, Mei D, Dunning MB 3rd, Ruiz F.) Anesthesiology. 2001 Mar;94(3):457-60 PMID: 11374606 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-0035094039 05/26/2001
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Analysis of endoplasmic reticulum trafficking signals by combinatorial screening in mammalian cells.
(Zerangue N, Malan MJ, Fried SR, Dazin PF, Jan YN, Jan LY, Schwappach B.) Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2001 Feb 27;98(5):2431-6 PMID: 11226256 PMCID: PMC30155 02/28/2001
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Effect of central CO(2) drive on lung inflation responses of expiratory bulbospinal neurons in dogs.
(Tonkovic-Capin M, Zuperku EJ, Stuth EA, Bajic J, Dogas Z, Hopp FA.) Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2000 Nov;279(5):R1606-18 PMID: 11049842 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-0033674077 10/26/2000
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(Addiss DG, Pond RS, Remshak M, Juranek DD, Stokes S, Davis JP.) Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1996 Jun;54(6):549-53 PMID: 8686769 06/01/1996
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(Hickey PR, Retzack SM.) Anesthesiology. 1993 Feb;78(2):372-6 PMID: 8439035 02/01/1993