The Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society Neuroanesthesia Section National Virtual Round is a self-approved group learning activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. 

The CAS Neuroanesthesia Section will host its third National Virtual Round of the year on November 28, at 8:00 p.m. ET. The Section hosts regular rounds on a variety of topics in neuroanesthesia, allowing the sharing of experiences across the country while building a more collegial neuroanesthesia community in Canada.  

This Round is a key part of CAS' mandate to provide education to members to help them reach their professional goals. The event is complimentary for CAS members, but registration is required.  

This Round is moderated by CAS Neuroanesthesia Section Chair Dr Melinda Davis (bio). 

Title: Post-craniotomy - Evidence-based Management 
Speaker: Dr Kan Ma (bio)

Learning objectives: 

After participating in this round, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the origin and pathophysiology of post-craniotomy pain
2. Integrate regional anesthetic techniques in the management of post-craniotomy pain 
3. Formulate an evidence-based approach to managing post-craniotomy pain 

Title: Blood Transfusion and Related Practices in Traumatic Brain Injury
Speaker: Dr Sweatha Balakrishnan (bio)  

After participating in this round, participants will be able to: 

1. Apply latest evidence to their clinical practice in management of patients with traumatic brain injury. 
2. Discuss the challenges with the use of Albumin in traumatic brain injury. 
3. Describe the rationale for the appropriate timing and benefits of administering tranexamic acid in traumatic brain injury. 
4. Review the literature on the haemoglobin threshold for trigger transfusion in traumatic brain injury. 

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Moderator: Dr Melinda Davis
Toronto, ON

Dr. Melinda Davis is a neuroanesthesiologist at the University of Calgary. She obtained her medical degree at the University of Newcastle, Australia, and stayed on to complete training in anesthesiology there. Following fellowship to the Australia and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists, Dr. Davis went on to a fellowship in Neuroanesthesiology at the University of Calgary in 2004. Dr. Davis balances her clinical work with a career in medical education where she has taught at all levels from Undergraduate Medical Education through to Faculty Development. She has served as the Program Director for the Anesthesiology Residency program and is currently the Associate Dean for Postgraduate Medical Education at the University of Calgary.



Speaker: Dr Kan Ma
University of Toronto

Dr Ma completed his anesthesia residency program at McMaster University in 2017, his Trauma-Neuroanesthesia and Critical Care Fellowship at University of Toronto in 2018, and the Neurosurgical Anesthesiology Fellowship at Northwestern University in 2019. He is the current Associate Program Director of the Trauma-Neuroanesthesia and Critical Care Fellowship at St. Michael’s Hospital, University of Toronto. His academic interest revolves around intraoperative neuromonitoring with evoked potentials and perioperative pain management for neurosurgical patients. 


Speaker: Dr Sweatha Balakrishnan
University of Ottawa   

Dr Balakrishnan is a board-certified anesthesiologist trained at Narayana Health, one of the largest multi-specialty hospitals in Bangalore, India. She also specializes in neurocritical care and completed her postdoctoral fellowship at NIMHANS, Bangalore, India. Since moving to Canada in 2020, she has completed her 2-year critical care fellowship at St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, and is currently doing a neuroanesthesia fellowship in Ottawa. Dr Balakrishnan’s areas of interest are intraoperative and bedside neuro monitoring in the ICU, neuro simulation and perioperative patient management. She has publications related to Optic nerve sheath diameter and Regional cerebral oxygen saturation in acute traumatic brain injury.