Welcome to the Department of Anesthesiology
The Medical College of Wisconsin 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
learn moreWelcome 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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Intracranial Vascular Procedures.
(Gross WL, Sacho RH.) Anesthesiol Clin. 2021 Mar;39(1):1-18 PMID: 33563374 02/11/2021
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(Shih G, Deer JD, Lau J, Loveland Baptist L, Lim DJ, Lockman JL.) Paediatr Anaesth. 2021 03;31(3):268-274 PMID: 33341983 12/21/2020
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(Birmingham EE, Stucke AG, Diaz CD.) Paediatr Anaesth. 2021 Feb 28 PMID: 33644930 03/02/2021
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(Gaulton TG, Neuman MD, US intubateCOVID Investigators.) Br J Anaesth. 2021 Feb 02 PMID: 33612248 02/23/2021
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(Blank JJ, Liu Y, Yin Z, Spofford CM, Ridolfi TJ, Ludwig KA, Otterson MF, Peterson CY.) Dis Colon Rectum. 2021 Feb 01;64(2):225-233 PMID: 33417346 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85099721640 01/09/2021
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Genomic Action of Sigma-1 Receptor Chaperone Relates to Neuropathic Pain.
(Wang SM, Goguadze N, Kimura Y, Yasui Y, Pan B, Wang TY, Nakamura Y, Lin YT, Hogan QH, Wilson KL, Su TP, Wu HE.) Mol Neurobiol. 2021 Jan 18 PMID: 33459966 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85100181606 01/19/2021
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(Goel V, Moran B, Kaizer AM, Sivanesan E, Patwardhan AM, Ibrahim M, DeWeerth JC, Shannon C 4th, Shankar H.) Anesth Analg. 2021 Jan 15 PMID: 33591120 02/17/2021
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Unique Complications Associated With the Subclavian Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump
(Daubenspeck D, González LS, Gerlach RM, Chaney MA.) Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia. 2021 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85099660404 01/01/2021
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Retrieving multiple magnetic foreign bodies from the glottic entrance and stomach: A case report
(Voulgarelis S, Stucke A.) Saudi Journal of Anaesthesia. January-March 2021;15(1):56-58 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85099588930 01/01/2021
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(Hainsworth KR, Czarnecki ML, Simpson PM, Zhang L, Davies WH, Mueller D, Weisman SJ.) Clin J Pain. 2021 Jan;37(1):1-10 PMID: 33093340 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85095808638 10/24/2020
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(Ebert TJ, Dugan S, Barta L, Gordon B, Nguyen-Ho C, Pagel PS.) WMJ. 2020 Dec;119(4):248-252 PMID: 33428834 01/12/2021
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(Gerdes HJ, Yang M, Heisner JS, Camara AKS, Stowe DF.) Biochim Biophys Acta Bioenerg. 2020 12 01;1861(12):148290 PMID: 32828729 PMCID: PMC7560995 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85089838074 08/24/2020
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(Roberts CJ, Hillard CJ.) Endocrine. 2020 Nov 20 PMID: 33216305 11/21/2020
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(Voulgarelis S, Hong JC, Zimmerman MA, Kim J, Scott JP.) Perfusion. 2020 Nov 17:267659120973592 PMID: 33200657 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85096198618 11/18/2020
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Multi-Level Regulation of Opioid-Induced Respiratory Depression.
(Palkovic B, Marchenko V, Zuperku EJ, Stuth EAE, Stucke AG.) Physiology (Bethesda). 2020 11 01;35(6):391-404 PMID: 33052772 PMCID: PMC7864237 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85092886511 10/15/2020
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(Freundlich RE, Li G, Grant B, St Jacques P, Sandberg WS, Ehrenfeld JM, Shotwell MS, Wanderer JP.) J Clin Anesth. 2020 Oct;65:109814 PMID: 32388457 PMCID: PMC7387167 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85084192144 05/11/2020
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(Gollapudy S, Gashkoff DA, Poetker DM, Loehrl TA, Riess ML.) Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2020 10;163(4):835-842 PMID: 32450733 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85085396175 05/27/2020
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Sweat the small stuff: The human microvasculature and heart disease.
(Katunaric B, Cohen KE, Beyer AM, Gutterman DD, Freed JK.) Microcirculation. 2020 Sep 16:e12658 PMID: 32939881 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85091684344 09/18/2020
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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 03/05/2020
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(Pagel PS, Tawil JN, Boettcher BT, Izquierdo DA, Lazicki TJ, Crystal GJ, Freed JK.) J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2020 Jul 09 PMID: 32747202 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85089012456 08/05/2020
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Burnout and Protective Factors: Are They the Same Amid a Pandemic?
(Ellinas H, Ellinas E.) J Grad Med Educ. 2020 Jun;12(3):291-294 PMID: 32595848 PMCID: PMC7301947 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85087253847 07/01/2020
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E-cigarette, or Vaping, Product Use-Associated Lung Injury-Lessons Learned: A Case Series.
(Helm C, Labovsky K, Thakrar PD, Diaz CD.) A A Pract. 2020 Jun;14(8):e01242 PMID: 32643902 PMCID: PMC7323836 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85088067425 07/10/2020
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(Woehlck HJ, Zundel MT.) Anesth Analg. 2020 06;130(6):e179 PMID: 32243293 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85085197824 04/04/2020
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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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(Czarnecki ML, Hainsworth K, Simpson PM, Arca MJ, Uhing MR, Zhang L, Grippe A, Varadarajan J, Rusy LM, Firary M, Weisman SJ.) Pain Manag Nurs. 2020 02;21(1):72-80 PMID: 31494028 PMCID: PMC6980456 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85071697982 09/09/2019
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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 01;132(1):156 PMID: 31834871 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85076473541 12/14/2019
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Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome
(Tweddell JS, Hoffman GM, Ghanayem NS, Frommelt MA, Mussatto KA, Berser S.) Moss & Adam’s Heart Disease in Infants, Children, and Adolescents: Including the Fetus and Young Adult, 10e, eds. Robert E. Shaddy, Daniel J. Penny, Timothy F. Feltes, Frank Cetta, Seema Mital, Wolters Kluwer. 08/16/2020
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Current Diagnoses and Treatment of Myofascial Pain Syndrome
(Peterson SJ, Rusy LM.) Society Pediatric Pain Syndrome Newsletter. 04/17/2020
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Sugammadex and Hypersensitivity-Related Reactions: a Review
(Gregory RJ, Woehlck H, Lien CA.) Current Anesthesiology Reports. 1 June 2020;10(2):123-130 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85085057366 06/01/2020
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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 11;87(5):1181-1188 PMID: 31425468 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85074184716 08/20/2019
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Distinguished Service Awards in Anesthesiology Specialty Societies: Analysis of Gender Differences.
(Ellinas EH, Rebello E, Chandrabose RK, Shillcutt SK, Hernandez M, Silver JK.) Anesth Analg. 2019 10;129(4):e130-e134 PMID: 30925561 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85069749068 03/30/2019
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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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(Jones AR, Patel RP, Marques MB, Donnelly JP, Griffin RL, Pittet JF, Kerby JD, Stephens SW, DeSantis SM, Hess JR, Wang HE, PROPPR Study Group.) Ann Emerg Med. 2019 06;73(6):650-661 PMID: 30447946 PMCID: PMC6517091 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85056659395 11/19/2018
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(Miller Juve AK, Kirsch JR.) J Educ Perioper Med. 2019 Apr-Jun;21(2):E622 PMID: 31988983 PMCID: PMC6972966 01/29/2020
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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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No Room to Lean In: A Qualitative Study on Gendered Barriers to Promotion and Leadership.
(Ellinas EH, Kaljo K, Patitucci TN, Novalija J, Byars-Winston A, Fouad NA.) J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2019 03;28(3):393-402 PMID: 30481114 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85062960663 11/28/2018
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(Kim J, Zimmerman MA, Lerret SM, Scott JP, Voulgarelis S, Fons RA, Vitola BE, Telega GW, Hoffman GM, Berens RJ, Hong JC.) Surgery. 2019 02;165(2):323-328 PMID: 30268374 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85053863845 10/01/2018
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(Wasakorn Kittipongdaja, Christopher Fadumiye.) . 04/19/2019
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You Are Only as Frail as Your Arteries: Prehabilitation of Elderly Surgical Patients
(Durand MJ, Beckert AK, Peterson CY, Ludwig KA, Ridolfi TJ, Lauer KK, Freed JK.) Current Anesthesiology Reports. 1 December 2019;9(4):380-386 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85079022988 12/01/2019
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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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(Pagel PS, Dye L 3rd, Hill GED, Vega JL, Tawil JN, De Vry DJ, Chandrashekarappa K, Iqbal Z, Boettcher BT, Freed JK.) J Vis Exp. 2018 11 28(141) PMID: 30582607 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85058138415 12/26/2018
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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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(Darby JM, Halenda G, Chou C, Quinlan JJ, Alarcon LH, Simmons RL.) J Intensive Care Med. 2018 Sep;33(9):517-526 PMID: 27899469 12/03/2016
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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 12;31(6):2312-2314 PMID: 28389185 04/09/2017
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(Tanem JM, Plambeck CJ, Pagel PS, Boettcher BT.) J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2017 10;31(5):1916-1918 PMID: 28188099 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85011876471 02/12/2017
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(Tawil JN, Khatib D, Jakobsons JJ, Woehlck HJ.) Br J Anaesth. 2017 04 01;118(4):641 PMID: 28403423 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85019229436 04/14/2017
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(Williams GW 2nd, George CA, Harvey BC, Freeman JE.) Anesth Analg. 2017 01;124(1):120-126 PMID: 27384980 07/08/2016
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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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Rare Cause of Chest Discomfort and Modest Exercise Intolerance in an Athlete.
(Boettcher BT, Makker H, Olund TJ, Pagel PS.) J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2016 Oct;30(5):1430-4 PMID: 27236488 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-84969650210 05/30/2016
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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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An Unexpected Airway Complication in a Male Patient with Goltz Syndrome.
(Smith S, Gadhok K, Guvakov D.) Case Rep Anesthesiol. 2016;2016:4659891 PMID: 27721997 PMCID: PMC5046003 10/11/2016
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Anesthesia for Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease
(Rachel Budithi M.DrnSylvia Dolinski M.D.) UpToDate. 03/20/2015
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Why the new severe aortic insufficiency after mitral and tricuspid valve repair?
(Pagel PS, Cummings CE, Schroeder AR, De Vry DJ, Linn KA.) J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2014 Dec;28(6):1704-6 PMID: 25027099 07/17/2014
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(Limberg JK, Harrell JW, Johansson RE, Eldridge MW, Proctor LT, Sebranek JJ, Schrage WG.) Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2013 Oct 15;305(8):H1230-7 PMID: 23934859 PMCID: PMC3798789 08/13/2013
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(Laur JJ, Weinberg GL.) Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2012 Nov-Dec;37(6):569-70 PMID: 23086345 10/23/2012
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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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(Bailey M, Kirchen G, Bonaventura B, Rosborough K, Abdel-Rasoul M, Dzwonczyk R.) J Clin Monit Comput. 2012 Jun;26(3):157-61 PMID: 22389138 03/06/2012
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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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Clinical predictors of frequent patient telephone calls in Parkinson's disease.
(Liu AA, Boxhorn CE, Klufas MA, Christos PJ, Thorne JT, Shih AY, Tsankova NM, Dorfman BJ, Henchcliffe C, Piboolnurak P, Nirenberg MJ.) Parkinsonism Relat Disord. 2011 Feb;17(2):95-9 PMID: 21112806 PMCID: PMC3612399 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-79551477886 11/30/2010
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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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Diplopia and ptosis. Diagnosis: Diabetic third nerve palsy.
(Pfeiffer KJ, Ropers SK, Short MW.) Am Fam Physician. 2010 Jul 15;82(2):187-8 PMID: 20642274 07/21/2010
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Clinical significance of common cold treatment: professionals' opinions.
(Barrett B, Endrizzi S, Andreoli P, Barlow S, Zhang Z.) WMJ. 2007 Dec;106(8):473-80 PMID: 18237071 02/02/2008
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(Woehlck H.J.;Mei,D,;Dunning III, M.B.; Ruiz F.J..) Anesthesiology . Anesthesiology.2001 Mar;94(3):457-60 03/26/2001
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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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Site(s) mediating sympathetic activation with desflurane.
(Muzi M, Ebert TJ, Hope WG, Robinson BJ, Bell LB.) Anesthesiology. 1996 Oct;85(4):737-47 PMID: 8873543 10/01/1996
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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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Antagonism of mivacurium neuromuscular block: neostigmine versus edrophonium.
(Devcic A, Munshi CA, Gandhi SK, Kampine JP.) Anesth Analg. 1995 Nov;81(5):1005-9 PMID: 7486038 11/01/1995
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(Hickey PR, Retzack SM.) Anesthesiology. 1993 Feb;78(2):372-6 PMID: 8439035 02/01/1993
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Plasma concentrations of midazolam in children following intranasal administration.
(Walbergh EJ, Wills RJ, Eckhert J.) Anesthesiology. 1991 Feb;74(2):233-5 PMID: 1990898 02/01/1991