Rescue therapies in the surgical patient.

In the perioperative period, patients may suffer complications leading to serious adverse events. Patient deterioration needs to be rapidly identified, and a rapid response system must be initiated. Additional personnel may also be needed. Rescue therapies, beyond the routine resuscitative efforts, may be needed in some cases. The types of complications that may be faced include a difficult airway, refractory hypoxemia, pulmonary embolism, myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest with restoration of pulse but ongoing coma, and stroke. Although perioperative complications can be catastrophic, rapid intervention, including rescue therapies when necessary, can improve outcomes.