CAS Samba ambulatory anesthesia collaborative rounds series
The Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society is excited to announce the return of its popular education program, developed in collaboration between the CAS Ambulatory Section and the Society for Ambulatory Anesthesia. This series of educational rounds provides professionals in ambulatory anesthesia with the opportunity to enhance their knowledge and skills through shared expertise and resources.
The CAS SAMBA Ambulatory Anesthesia Collaborative Rounds Series 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. Each round will be 1 hour.
Note - Your CAS Membership must be in good standing for the event date in order to access the member discount. You will be able to register as soon as you receive the renewal confirmation. Click here to renew.
Click on each event below for details on the upcoming rounds. All events are listed chronologically.
round archive
Contemporary Pharmacology in Ambulatory Anesthesia: Focus on Remimazolam and Beyond
May 6, 2026
8 pm ET
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This session will provide a focused update on contemporary pharmacology in ambulatory anesthesia, with particular emphasis on remimazolam, a novel ultrashort-acting benzodiazepine with growing clinical applications in procedural sedation and general anesthesia. The discussion will highlight its pharmacologic profile, clinical advantages, and practical considerations in comparison with established agents.
In addition, the session will briefly review other important pharmacologic developments relevant to current practice, including GLP-1 receptor agonists and their perioperative implications, intravenous amisulpride for postoperative nausea and vomiting, and sugammadex for neuromuscular blockade reversal. Emerging concepts in analgesic pharmacology will also be introduced, offering a glimpse into potential future directions in perioperative care.
Learning Objectives:
After attending this round, the participants will be able to:
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Review the pharmacology, mechanism of action, and clinical applications of remimazolam in ambulatory anesthesia and procedural sedation, including its role in adult and pediatric practice.
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Discuss contemporary advances in perioperative pharmacology relevant to ambulatory anesthesia, including GLP-1 receptor agonists, intravenous amisulpride for prevention and rescue treatment of postoperative nausea and vomiting, and sugammadex for neuromuscular blockade reversal.
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Describe future directions in anesthetic pharmacology and perioperative analgesia, including novel opioid compounds currently in preclinical development and their potential implications for safer pain management.
Moderator: Dr. Sanjiv Gupta
Dr. Sanjiv Gupta is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine. He completed a B.Sc. (Honours) in Physics at Queen’s University, followed by medical school and residency at the University of Ottawa, and a Fellowship in Pharmacology at Stanford University. Dr. Gupta is actively engaged in medical education and academic leadership. He developed the Clinical Pharmacology module in 2014 and established the Applied Pharmacology and Clinical Anesthesia Fellowship in 2022. He currently serves as lead for both the fellowship and the resident rotation, underscoring his commitment to curriculum development and competencybased education. His contributions to clinical education have been recognized with multiple teaching awards, including the Clinical Educator Award (2023) and the Rachel Waugh Teaching Award (2014). In addition to his educational roles, Dr. Gupta represents the Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine on The Ottawa Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee.
Speaker: Dr. Kumar G. Belani
Dr. Kumar G. Belani is Distinguished Professor of Anesthesiology and Adjunct Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics at the University of Minnesota Medical School, with additional affiliation with the School of Public Health. Since joining the faculty in 1983, he has devoted his career to education, mentorship, and clinical excellence, guiding generations of medical students, residents, fellows, and postdoctoral scholars from around the world. He serves as the Honorary International Dean of the Indian College of Anesthesiologists and is Assistant Vice President Emeritus for India Affairs at the University of Minnesota’s Academic Health Center. Widely recognized for his global leadership and academic contributions, Dr. Belani has been inducted into the Academy of Excellence in Healthcare and has received the University’s President’s Award, Award for Global Engagement, and Lifetime Achievement Award, among numerous other honors. A prolific physician-scientist, Dr. Belani’s NIH-funded research and scholarly work have resulted in more than 130 publications and numerous national and international presentations. He has served as President of both the Minnesota Society of Anesthesiologists and the Society for Ambulatory Anesthesia (SAMBA). He currently leads global affiliations for SAMBA and serves on the editorial board of the ASA Monitor. Dr. Belani’s academic and clinical interests include pediatric anesthesia, ambulatory anesthesia, global health, the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning in perioperative care, and the history of anesthesia and surgery.
Thank you to our Scientific Planning Committee!
Dr. Mandeep Singh – CAS Ambulatory Section Chair, Research Advisory Committee member, Physician Wellness Committee member
Dr. Natalie Clavel – CAS Ambulatory Section Vice-Chair
Dr. Jaimie Hyman – SAMBA Board of Directors Member, Education Committee Chair, Meetings Committee member
Dr. Chhaya Patel – SAMBA Education Committee Vice-Chair, Pediatric Anesthesia Committee Vice-Chair, Scientific Papers Committee member