UF Department of Anesthesiology makes waves at Anesthesiology 2025

University of Florida Department of Anesthesiology members attended this year’s American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) annual meeting with faculty, staff, fellows, and residents sharing more than 25 posters and participating in numerous sessions, discussions, and panels.

Held in San Antonio, Texas, from October 10-14, 2025, the ASA conference provided an opportunity for anesthesiologists to collaborate and share their research on various medical topics.

Lauren Berkow, M.D., professor of anesthesiology, was an expert panelist on the session “Has videolaryngoscopy made other airway techniques obsolete?”. She defended the argument that other airway techniques are not obsolete but overall believed that videolaryngoscopy should be the first-line standard.

Furthermore, Berkow emphasized the value in practicing all sorts of airway techniques since it can impact patient safety: “In order to be able to implement a backup plan, you have to be comfortable and proficient in more than one airway technique. I think it’s valuable to practice videolaryngoscopy…”

Over 15 other faculty members were involved in discussions and panels that covered subjects like the neuraxial procedure, a thoracic simulator, peripartum cardiomyopathy, and emerging technology.

Around a dozen residents participated in this year’s conference as well, showcasing a multitude of cases and studies. Along with Abigail Schirmer, M.D., and Yong G. Peng, M.D., professor of anesthesiology, Abigail Bawden, M.D., shared her case research about acute right ventricular failure and severe tricuspid regurgitation during transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Overall, our department’s well-rounded participation in the 2025 ASA annual meeting is a testament to our dedication to research and learning in the field of anesthesiology. Thanks to everyone who helped represent the department and its work at the national level.

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Anesthesiology 2025 Participants

Posters

Acute Right Ventricular Failure and Severe Tricuspid Regurgitation During Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Under MAC

• Abigail Bawden, M.D., Abigail Schirmer, M.D., Yong Gang Peng, M.D., FASA

Anemia as a Modifiable Risk Factor for Cognitive and Functional Decline following Surgery in Older Adults

• Snigdha Reddy Sama, B.S., Matthew Andoniadis, M.D., Cynthia Garvan, Ph.D., Keith Howell, M.D.

Balancing Cardiac Risk and Psychiatric Urgency: Anesthesia Considerations for Emergent ECT

• Javier Garcia, M.D., Darshil Patel, B.S., Benjamin Cipion, M.S., Rafael Aldaya Bourricaudy, B.S., Brent R. Carr, M.D.

Cesarean Section in a Patient with Pre Eclampsia and HELLP Syndrome on Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

• Taylor Gowen, M.D., Michael Arnold, D.O., Julie-Ann Thompson, M.D.

Combined Bilateral Lung and Liver Transplantation in a Patient with Cryptogenic Cirrhosis and Chronic Respiratory Failure

• Rashid Akbari, B.S., Patrick Millan, Hamad Sagheer, M.D., Chris R. Giordano, M.D.

Complex aortic reconstruction and quadruple valve intervention for patient with endocarditis and aortic root abscess

• Abigail Schirmer, M.D., David Jablonski, M.D., Waverly Leonard, B.S., Yong Gang Peng, M.D., FASA

Computer Vision Interpretation of Chest Drainage Canister Data

• Mario Rampangu, M.S., Simon Mesber, B.S., Subhash Nerella, Ph.D., Christopher Samouce, Ph.D., Gregory Janelle, M.D., Mindaugas Rackauskas, M.D., Nikolaus Gravenstein, M.D., Samsun Lampotang, Ph.D.

Computer Vision Interpretation of Fluid-Filled Dependent Loops in Urine and Chest Drainage Systems

• Mario Rampangu, M.S., Simon Mesber, B.S., Subhash Nerella, Ph.D., Eric Ragan, Ph.D., Gregory Janelle, M.D., Christopher Samouce, Ph.D., Mindaugas Rackauskas, M.D., Nikolaus Gravenstein, M.D., Samsun Lampotang, Ph.D.

Computer Vision Monitoring of Urine Output via a Digital Scale

• Samsun Lampotang, Ph.D., Keerthi H. Kattamudi, B.S., Mario V. Rampangu, B.S., Simon Mesber, B.S., Nikolaus Gravenstein, M.D., Christopher Samouce, Ph.D.

Development of an AI Model for Ultrasound-Based Detection of the Stomach and its Contents

• Justin Daniels, B.S., Taylor Calibo, M.S., François Modave, Ph.D., Cameron Smith, M.D., Meghan Brennan, M.D.

Difficult airway in a patient with multiple co-morbidities for a difficult neurosurgical procedure

• Abigail Schirmer, M.D., Neil Chheda, M.D., Steven Roth, M.D., Lauren Berkow, M.D., FASA

Does Nitrous Oxide Labor Analgesia Increase Use of General Anesthesia for Intrapartum Cesarean Delivery?

• Jin Choi, B.S., Omowonuola Ogundele, M.D., Grace DeSena, M.D., Brittany Shepard, B.S., Meghan Brennan, M.D., Adam Wendling, M.D.

ECT and Anesthesia Management Considerations in SSRI-Mediated CYP2D6 Inhibition on Propofol Metabolism

• Benjamin Cipion, M.S., Peggy White, M.D., Brent R. Carr, M.D.

Endoscopic Spine Surgery as a Solution for Complex Cases Unsuitable for Traditional Approaches: A Case Study

• Helena Krogman, Anirudh Venkatesh, Bryan Stevens, M.D., Rohan Sarna, Sanjeev Kumar, M.D.

Enhancing Anesthesiology In-Training Exam Preparation Through Space Repetition Learning: A Quality Improvement Project

• Mayank Kotadia, B.S., S. Hamad Sagheer, M.D., Terrie Vasilopoulos, Ph.D., Timothy Martin, M.D., MBA, FASA

Investigating the Influence of Catheter Advancement Techniques on Needle Tip Movement During Intravenous Catheter Advancement

• Mayank Kotadia, BSc, S. Hamad Sagheer, M.D., Christopher Samouce, Ph.D., Rachael Ahn, Ph.D., Hannah Kovalek, B.S., Samsun Lampotang, Ph.D., Nikolaus Gravenstein, M.D.

Mechanisms initiating intergenerational perioperative neurocognitive disorder in a rat model

• Anatoly Martynyuk, Ph.D., Ling-Sha Ju, Ph.D., Zeeshan A. Khan, Ph.D., Nikolaus Gravenstein, M.D., Christoph Seubert, M.D., Ph.D., FASA, Barry Setlow, Ph.D.

Minimally Invasive Sacroiliac Joint Fusion via Lateral and Posterior Approaches in a Single Patient: A Case Report

• Helena Krogman, B.S., Ashley Goordeen, M.D., Juan Mora Herrera, M.D.

Multicenter Study: Long Term Outcomes of Intraoperative Blood Product Transfusion During Lung Transplant

• Pooja Tallapaneni, MPH, Sudhakar Subramani, M.D., Andrea Miltiades, M.D., Harikesh Subramanian, MBBS, M.S., Brandi A. Bottiger, M.D., Barbara Wilkey, M.D., Jiapeng Huang, M.D., Ph.D., FASE, FASA, Todd E. Jones, M.D., Kathirvel Subramaniam, M.D., MPH

Navigating a Difficult Airway in a Pediatric Patient with Epidermolysis Bullosa

• Alexandra Carroll, M.D., Michael Arnold, D.O., Sonia Mehta, M.D., Karisa Walker, M.D., MEd, Georgeanna Tsoumas, D.O.

Perioperative Management of Spontaneous Subdural Hematoma Following Red Yeast Rice-Induced Liver Injury:Anesthesia Implications of Supplement-Driven Coagulopathy

• Benjamin Cipion, M.S., Rafael Aldaya-Bourricaudy, B.S., Javier Garcia, M.D., Chengcheng Zheng, M.D., John Pennington, M.D.

Prosthetic Leaflet Impalement After Modified Y-Incision Aortic Annular Enlargement: A Rare Surgical Finding and the Crucial Role of Anesthesiology

• Benjamin Cipion, M.S., Elizabeth Miller, M.D., Michael Franklin, D.O., FASA

Resuscitation, ECMO, and the Unforeseen: Multidisciplinary Management in a Life-Threatening Surgical Crisis.

• Adedimeji Adepoju, M.D., Yong G. Peng, M.D., FASA, Dianne Fontanez, M.D.

MCC Facilitator: Joseph AbuRahma

The Efficacy of Biplane Versus Single-Plane Ultrasound in Facilitating Caudal Epidural Anesthesia in Pediatric Patients

• Anjali Patel, B.S., Nishanthi Kandiah, M.D., Sandra Gonzalez, M.D., Federico Jimenez-Ruiz, M.D., Christopher Edwards, M.D., Nikolaus Gravenstein, M.D., Dawei Guan, M.D., Sonia Mehta, M.D.

The Hits Keep on Coming: Plasma Exchange in a Patient With Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia Requiring Major Cardiac Surgery

• Kevin Marfiak, D.O., MPH, Joseph AbuRahma, M.D.

The Role of the Brain-Gut-Microbiome Axis in a Rat Model of Intergenerational Perioperative Neurocognitive Disorder

• Anatoly Martynyuk, Ph.D., Zeeshan Ahmad Khan, Ph.D., Ling-Sha Ju, Ph.D., Nikolaus Gravenstein, M.D., Barry Setlow, Ph.D.

3rd Trachs a Charm: Management of Failed Tracheostomy in a Prior Difficult Airway

• Kade Eppich, M.D., Amanda Frantz, M.D., Letitia E. Bible, M.D., Ryan Parker, M.D., Ph.D.

VV ECMO for ARDS management complicating Bi-Ventricular Assist Device implantation

• Eduardo Walker, M.D., Jonah Whiteside, M.D., Bharathram Vasudevan, MBBS, M.D.

Widowmaker after BOLT: mechanical circulatory support to the rescue

• Gabriel Flambert, B.A., Everett Jones, M.D.

Presentations

Airway Management in Awake Craniotomy With Obstructive Sleep Apnea

• Lauren Berkow, M.D., FASA

Anesthetic Considerations for Patients Undergoing an Endoscopic Spinal Intervention/Decompression or Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression

• Rene Przkora, M.D., Ph.D., FASA

Direct Laryngoscopy and Awake Flexible Scope Intubation Are Essential Skills, and Continued Use and Teaching of These Skills Is Vital for Airway Management Back Up Plans

• Lauren Berkow, M.D., FASA

Emerging Technology in Regional Anesthesia Performance and Education

• Barys Ihnatsenka, M.D., FACA
• Isaac Luria, M.D.
• Soleil Schutte, M.D.

Endovascular Repair of the Ascending Aorta and Aortic Arch: From Theory to Practice — Coming to an OR Near You?

• T. Everett Jones, M.D., B.S.

Growing Your Acute Pain Service: Structure, Personnel, and Equipment

• Linda Le-Wendling, M.D.

Keeping You Updated on Advanced Spinal Interventions Including SCS, Augmentation, Spacers, Fusions, and Decompressions

• Rene Przkora, M.D., Ph.D., FASA

Non-invasive Oxygenation Strategies Should Be the Default Option

• Felipe Urdaneta, M.D., FASA

Moderator: Lauren Berkow, M.D., FASA

Perioperative Care of the Heart Transplant Recipient

• Yong Gang Peng, M.D., FASA

Revisiting Succinylcholine Dosing in ECT: A Case Series on IBW-Based Protocols for Enhanced Recovery in Patients with Elevated BMI

• R. Victor Zhang, M.D., Ph.D., Benjamin Cipion, M.S., Ryanne Thelwell, B.S., Brent R. Carr, M.D.

Peripartum Cardiomyopathy PBLD for ASA 2025

• Matthew Andoniadis, M.D.

Do We Have Alternatives for Upper Extremity Blocks When One is Contraindicated?

• Erika Taco Vasquez, M.D.

Do We Have Alternatives for Upper Extremity Blocks When One is Contraindicated?

• Erika Taco Vasquez, M.D.

Not Your Average Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: Perioperative Management of Left Ventricular Assist Device for Non-Cardiac Surgery

• Joseph AbuRahma, M.D.

Peripartum Cardiomyopathy PBLD for ASA 2025

• Matthew Andoniadis, M.D.

Not Your Average Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: Perioperative Management of Left Ventricular Assist Device for Non-Cardiac Surgery

• Joseph AbuRahma, M.D.

There Are No Limits How Often I Repeat Facet Joint RFAs

• Rene Przkora, M.D., Ph.D., FASA

Thoracic Simulator

• Barys Ihnatsenka, M.D., FACA

Thoracic Simulator

• Olga Nin, M.D.