Anesthesiology
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Prophylactic angiotensin II infusion during spinal anesthesia for elective cesarean delivery.
Angiotensin II may prove useful in treating regional anesthesia-induced hypotension in obstetric patients, because it causes less uterine vasoconstriction than do other vasoconstrictor drugs (such as phenylephrine). This study compared (1) maternal blood pressure and heart rate and (2) fetal status at delivery in parturients given either prophylactic angiotensin II or ephedrine infusion during spinal anesthesia for elective cesarean delivery. ⋯ Angiotensin II infusion maintained maternal systolic blood pressure during spinal anesthesia without increasing maternal heart rate or causing fetal acidosis.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Upper airway reflexes during a combination of propofol and fentanyl anesthesia.
The effects of intravenous anesthetics on airway protective reflexes have not been fully explored. The purpose of the present study was to characterize respiratory and laryngeal responses to laryngeal irritation during increasing doses of fentanyl under propofol anesthesia. ⋯ Incremental doses of fentanyl depress airway reflex responses in a dose-related manner, except for apnea with laryngospasm.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
A comparison of the posterior versus lateral approaches to the block of the sciatic nerve in the popliteal fossa.
The main disadvantage of the posterior approach to the block of the sciatic nerve in the popliteal fossa (popliteal block [PB]) is the need to place the patient in the prone position. In this study, the authors examined the clinical utility of a recently described lateral approach to PB that is performed with the patient in the supine position, and they compared its ability to provide reliable surgical anesthesia with that of the posterior approach. ⋯ Although blockade using the lateral approach took longer to accomplish, both techniques resulted in clinically acceptable anesthesia in the distribution of the sciatic nerve.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Treatment of incomplete analgesia after placement of an epidural catheter and administration of local anesthetic for women in labor.
Approximately 15% of women still have pain after placement of an epidural catheter and administration of local anesthetic for labor analgesia. Two techniques frequently used to treat this pain were compared: (1) withdrawal of the catheter 1 cm and repeated dosing with additional local anesthetic, and (2) repeated dosing with additional local anesthetic without any catheter manipulation. ⋯ Administration of additional local anesthetic without first withdrawing the epidural catheter will effectively treat most women for whom analgesia is incomplete after the placement of an epidural catheter during labor.
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Tissue heat content and distribution during and after cardiopulmonary bypass at 31 degrees C and 27 degrees C.
Afterdrop following cardiopulmonary bypass results from redistribution of body heat to inadequately warmed peripheral tissues. However, the distribution of heat between the thermal compartments and the extent to which core-to-peripheral redistribution contributes to post-bypass hypothermia remains unknown. ⋯ Peripheral tissues failed to fully rewarm by the end of bypass in the patients in the 27 degrees C group, and the afterdrop was 2.3+/-0.9 degrees C. Peripheral tissues rewarmed better in the patients in the 31 degrees C group, and the afterdrop was only 1.5+/-0.4 degrees C.