Haven’t Registered Yet?
The 29th Annual Rural Anesthesia Conference is now open for registration.
Jan 22, 2027 at the Banff Park Lodge
From Chaos to Sinus - a practical guide to dysrhythmias
Presented by:
Dr. Chris Noss MD FRCPC
Date & Time: Friday, Jan 22, 2026 | 8:00am
Location: Banff Park Lodge Hotel
Click to see description and learning objectives
The session will review the perioperative risk of patients with known dysrhythmias in the community setting. An approach to the peri-operative management arrhythmia will be outlined.
By the end of this activity, learners will be able to:
1. Identify patients with pre-existing arrhythmia who are elevated risk in the community setting
2. Outline the emergency management of intra-operative bradyarrythmias and tachyarryhtmias
3. Outline the peri-operative management of newly identified arrhythmias
Dexmedetomidine in Obstetric Anesthesia: Hype, Hope, or Practice-Changing Evidence?
Presented by:
Dr. Dolores M McKeen MD FRCPC MSc CCPE ICD.D
Date & Time: Friday, Jan 22, 2026 | 8:45am
Location: Banff Park Lodge Hotel
Click to see description and learning objectives
Dexmedetomidine has emerged as a promising adjunct in obstetric anesthesia, with reported benefits including improved maternal sedation, reduced shivering, prolonged neuraxial analgesia, reduced postoperative opioid requirements, and potential effects on postpartum recovery. However, its use remains off-label in pregnancy, and questions persist regarding optimal dosing, maternal hemodynamic effects, neonatal safety, and its role alongside contemporary neuraxial regimens.
This session will provide an evidence-based review of recent randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and practice recommendations evaluating intravenous and neuraxial dexmedetomidine for cesarean delivery and labor analgesia. Participants will critically appraise the current evidence, understand potential benefits and risks, and explore practical implications for collaborative obstetric anesthetic care.
By the end of this activity, learners will be able to:
- Recognize current indications and emerging applications of dexmedetomidine in obstetric anesthesia, including its use for maternal sedation, analgesia augmentation, and prevention of perioperative shivering. (FM Expert)
- Assess the strength, limits and quality of current evidence regarding maternal outcomes, neonatal safety, hemodynamic effects, and postoperative recovery following intravenous and neuraxial dexmedetomidine administration during cesarean delivery. (Scholar)
- Apply practical strategies for incorporating evidence on dexmedetomidine into shared clinical decision-making and intrapartum care while recognizing current evidence gaps and guideline limitations. (FM Expert)