(continued from page 25)
sleuth, however, the writing style changes notably.
As Annabel and her anesthesiologist buddy hone in on the cause
of these deaths, they learn from the pathologist that the most recent
victim …. “had a non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocker in his
system. The compound was intact. There had been no metabolism
of it. …. A horrible way to die being paralyzed while awake, which is
what I am assuming happened.” From then on we are treated to some
hard-core pharmacology of anesthetic agents; physiology of neuromuscular transmission, blocking agents and reversal techniques.
This is very authentic and kept me reading all the way to the end.
I did wonder, though, how this information would be accepted by
a non-medical reader. The gist of what is happening is evident and
perhaps some highly specific medical terminology is not a turnoff
for fans of Annabel Tilson. If the author had stopped to translate
physiology and pharmacology into lay terms, the momentum of
the book would have been lost.
The ultimate solution to the mystery is linked to Annabel’s own
post-op “complication.” She herself experiences paralysis while
awake, having been appropriately extubated following a surgical
GLMS
OFFERS
EHR
procedure. Fortunately her surgeon is her own chief resident, she
is being watched by one of her student peers, and all the post-op
personnel are aware of the measures being taken to avoid more of
the sudden post-op deaths under investiga tion. Therefore Annabel
survives to move on into Book 2 of the series. (This is apparently
under construction.)
I am not sure how many of our readers remember Dr. Ebel. She
graduated from the University of Louisville Medical School in 1987
and then went on to do her residency in Anesthesiology, also at U
of L. She practiced in Kentucky and Florida but has been retired for
a number of years. In addition to being a self-published author she
writes a medical blog and focuses on issues related to women’s and
children’s health. She also volunteers in medical clinics and missions.
She currently lives in a “natural wildlife corridor” in Tennessee.
All Dr. Ebel’s books are available through Amazon.
Her personal website is http://barbaraebel.weebly.com
Dr. Amin is a retired diagnostic radiologist.
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LOUISVILLE MEDICINE
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