Anesthesiology
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Dexmedetomidine, a highly selective alpha 2-adrenoreceptor agonist, decreases central sympathetic activity and reduces the anesthetic requirement of halothane. Preliminary studies show that dexmedetomidine improves the outcome from ischemic injury and, therefore, may have potential therapeutic value. ⋯ Results from this study indicate that postischemic administration of dexmedetomidine, in a dose that reduces the anesthetic requirements by 50%, has a neuroprotective effect in this model of focal cerebral ischemia.
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Few studies have been reported on the direct depressive effects of sevoflurane on myocardial contractility in humans. Direct assessment of contractile state is possible by examining the slope of left ventricular end-systolic wall stress (LVESWS) versus velocity of circumferential fiber shortening with heart rate corrected (Vcfc) relationship with echocardiography. Using this contractile index, the effects of sevoflurane/nitrous oxide were compared with that of enflurane/nitrous oxide on myocardia contractility in humans. ⋯ The results of the present study suggest that sevoflurane has fewer depressant effects on cardiac function than does enflurane.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
The esophageal detector device. Does it work?
The esophageal detector device (EDD) is a diagnostic tool for confirmation of tracheal intubation. Capnography is the accepted standard for such confirmation. The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether results using the EDD and capnography agree. ⋯ The EDD is a valuable diagnostic technique for confirming tracheal intubation. Results using EDD agree with results using capnography; in 6% of instances there is a slow reinflation; and where there is no capnography, such as on hospital wards, EDD may be a useful diagnostic tool.
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Hypotension after spinal anesthesia for cesarean section remains a common and serious complication despite the use of uterine displacement and volume preloading. The current study revaluated the role of crystalloid volume preloading in this context. ⋯ The study confirms that hypotension associated with spinal anesthesia for cesarean section cannot be eliminated by volume preloading in the supine wedged patient. The relatively small reduction in incidence of hypotension challenges our perception of the value of crystalloid preload. Though volume preload in the elective cesarean section is advocated, the requirement for a mandatory administration of a fixed volume before spinal anesthesia for urgent cases has been abandoned.