Anesthesiology
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
Sufentanil analgesia following cesarean section: epidural versus intravenous administration.
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Comparative Study
An in vitro evaluation of ionized calcium levels and clotting in red blood cells diluted with lactated Ringer's solution.
The addition of lactated Ringer's solution which contains calcium (RL) to citrated blood products poses a potential risk whenever the level of ionized calcium reaches a concentration capable of catalyzing the coagulation cascade. RL solution is used extensively as both a replacement and a maintenance fluid in the operating room. However, major surgical procedures often require replacement of blood components as well, during the operation. ⋯ This concentration is not reached if the RBC to RL volume ratio is 2:1 or greater. As much as 100 ml of RL can be added to a unit of RBC without exceeding the threshold value. Although not advocating the routine use of RL as a diluent for RBC, the authors conclude that, within the guidelines described, calcium containing salt solutions may be used to dilute blood products.
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Fourteen cases of sudden cardiac arrest in healthy patients who received spinal anesthesia were discovered in a preliminary review of 900 closed insurance claims for major anesthetic mishaps. All patients were resuscitated from the intraoperative cardiac arrest, but six suffered such severe neurologic injury that they died in hospital. Of the eight survivors, only one exhibited sufficient neurologic recovery to allow independence in daily self-care. ⋯ Cyanosis frequently heralded the onset of cardiac arrest in patients exhibiting this degree of sedation, suggesting that unappreciated respiratory insufficiency may have played an important role. The second pattern appeared to be an inadequate appreciation of the interaction between sympathetic blockade during high spinal anesthesia and the mechanisms of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Prompt augmentation of central venous filing through the use of a potent alpha-agonist and positional change might have improved organ perfusion, shortened the duration of cardiac arrest, and lessened the degree of neurologic damage.
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Comparative Study
Pulmonary effects of crystalloid and colloid resuscitation from hemorrhagic shock in the presence of oleic acid-induced pulmonary capillary injury in the dog.
The effects of resuscitation with crystalloid and colloid solutions in the presence of increased pulmonary capillary permeability were studied. Twenty-four hours after oleic acid administration, dogs were anesthetized and bled to produce hemorrhagic shock. One hour later, resuscitation was performed with saline, 5% albumin, or 6% hydroxyethyl starch solution to restore and then maintain cardiac output at pre-oleic acid values for 6 h. ⋯ Saline resuscitation markedly reduced plasma oncotic pressure and the plasma oncotic-pulmonary artery occlusion pressure gradient. Values for these two variables were markedly lower with saline than with colloid resuscitation. The authors conclude that the pulmonary effects of crystalloid and colloid solutions are similar in the presence of moderate increases in pulmonary capillary permeability.