Ebola virus disease: an update for anesthesiologists and intensivists.
OBJECTIVE
Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a viral hemorrhagic fever that is highly transmissible and all too often rapidly fatal. Recent outbreaks in West Africa reveal that this infection has the potential to be transmitted worldwide. Anesthesiologists and intensivists, due to their training in the management of the critically ill, may be called upon to assist in the management of these patients. The focus of this brief review is on the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and management of patients with EVD.


METHODS
Review of the current literature.


RESULTS
Ebola virus disease causes severe diarrhea, electrolyte disturbances and other major end-organ dysfunction. Early aggressive resuscitation may reduce the mortality of this disease. There is presently no available vaccine nor cure, with experimental therapies having yielded limited success. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is necessary for all patient contact, and enhanced PPE is required for all aerosol-generating medical procedures.


CONCLUSIONS
Anesthesiologists and intensivists may be called upon to manage patients with EVD. It is important that these clinicians have an appreciation for the epidemiology and pathogenesis of this disease and for the proper utilization of PPE when treating these patients.
Departments of Anesthesiology and Medicine, Section of Critical Care, Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba, 2nd Floor Harry Medovy House, 671 William Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, Canada, funk@cc.umanitoba.ca.
Duane J
DJ
Funk
Anand
A
Kumar
D000354:Africa, Western / Q000453:epidemiology; D000776:Anesthesiology / Q000379:methods*; D016638:Critical Illness; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D014943:Global Health; D019142:Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D011482:Protective Devices