Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a rare but potentially fatal disorder characterized by a hypermetabolic state produced by exposure to triggering agents such as volatile anesthetics and succinylcholine.1, 2 MH crises have also been recognized in the absence of exposure to obvious triggers. The incidence of MH may range from 1:5,000 to 1:100,000 anesthetic administrations, although the prevalence of predisposing genetic lesions is likely as common as 1 in every 3,000 individuals.1 Clinically, MH presents with a constellation of signs and symptoms including muscle rigidity, hypercarbia, tachycardia, acidosis, and hyperthermia, which if not promptly recognized and managed with dantrolene, is likely to lead to significant morbidity or death.

Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a rare but potentially fatal disorder characterized by a hypermetabolic state produced by exposure to triggering agents such as volatile anesthetics and succinylcholine.1, 2 MH crises have also been recognized in the absence of exposure to obvious triggers. The incidence of MH may range from 1:5,000 to 1:100,000 anesthetic administrations, although the prevalence of predisposing genetic lesions is likely as common as 1 in every 3,000 individuals.1 Clinically, MH presents with a constellation of signs and symptoms including muscle rigidity, hypercarbia, tachycardia, acidosis, and hyperthermia, which if not promptly recognized and managed with dantrolene, is likely to lead to significant morbidity or death.

This special article is the eighteenth in an annual series for the Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia. The authors thank the editor-in-chief, Dr. Kaplan, Dr. Augoustides and the editorial board for the opportunity to continue this series, namely the research highlights of the past year in the specialty of cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesiology.1 The major themes selected for 2025 are outlined in this introduction, and each highlight is reviewed in detail in the main article. The literature highlights in the specialty for 2025 begin with an update on perioperative rehabilitation and enhanced recovery (ERACS) in cardiothoracic surgery, with a focus on prehabilitation and the impact of implementing enhanced recovery care models on outcomes.

We read with great interest the study by Kwok et al1 comparing EMR and surgery for colon adenomas and early-stage cancers. The finding of significantly lower all-cause mortality with EMR is noteworthy. However, the interpretation of this survival benefit warrants careful consideration because of the inherent limitations of observational studies, particularly selection bias and confounding by indication.

National screening protocols have resulted in the earlier detection of high-risk premalignant lesions and early-stage colorectal cancer (ie, T1 CRC), allowing for minimally invasive, organ-sparing resection.1 Although piecemeal resection is widely used for large colorectal neoplasms, it carries a higher risk of incomplete resection and recurrence than do en bloc resection techniques.2 En bloc resection also allows for precise histopathologic evaluation, ensuring appropriate management of these lesions.

Oesophageal cancer, a leading global cancer with more than 500?000 annual cases, poses a major clinical and public health challenge.1 Locally advanced oesophageal cancer exemplifies the tension between personalised and standardised care. Although neoadjuvant therapy followed by surgery remains the first-line approach, heterogeneous patient responses introduce clinical dilemmas: non-responders risk delayed access to effective treatment, whereas specific pathological complete responders might undergo unnecessary surgical intervention.

Aplastic anemia (AA) is a rare, life-threatening, bone marrow failure disorder characterized by a hypocellular bone marrow and pancytopenia resulting from an inherited or acquired etiology that leads to the destruction of hematopoietic stem cells. While technically non-malignant, the morbidity and mortality of severe AA (SAA) including malignant transformation, as well as toxicity from its therapy, have long guided therapy1. Multiple effective therapies have been developed in the current era2-10 to improve patient quality and quantity of life and prevent relapse and clonal outgrowth of myelodysplastic syndromes and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria.

Aplastic anemia (AA) is a rare, life-threatening, bone marrow failure disorder characterized by a hypocellular bone marrow and pancytopenia resulting from an inherited or acquired etiology that leads to the destruction of hematopoietic stem cells. While technically non-malignant, the morbidity and mortality of severe AA (SAA) including malignant transformation, as well as toxicity from its therapy, have long guided therapy1. Multiple effective therapies have been developed in the current era2-10 to improve patient quality and quantity of life and prevent relapse and clonal outgrowth of myelodysplastic syndromes and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria.

Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) remains a potentially curative therapy for a wide range of hematologic malignancies, particularly for patients who have failed frontline treatments. The decision to proceed with allo-HCT requires careful assessment of individual factors such as disease status, performance, comorbidities, and the availability of alternative treatment options1.

Journal of Neurotrauma, Ahead of Print.

Journal of Neurotrauma, Ahead of Print.

Journal of Neurotrauma, Ahead of Print.

We aimed to evaluate overall survival (OS) and determine the optimal timing of cytoreductive nephrectomy (CN) in patients with metastatic renal cell c...

Previous studies have found significant sex differences in symptoms among patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS). However,...