Anesthesiology
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Evaluating patient-reported outcomes is complex. These difficulties may explain weaknesses with some existing tools: mainly, they rely on expert instead of patient views or are not metrically sound. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a multidimensional self-reported questionnaire, specifically assessing the satisfaction of patients undergoing regional anesthesia, Evaluation du Vécu de l'Anesthésie LocoRégionale (EVAN-LR). ⋯ The authors have validated a new measuring tool assessing patient satisfaction within the perioperative period surrounding regional anesthesia. The multidimensional structure of EVAN-LR allows it to be used as a clinical tool for improving anesthesia management.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Influence of epidural mixture and surgery on bladder function after open renal surgery: a randomized clinical trial.
In a previous observational study, thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) after open renal surgery resulted in clinically relevant postvoid residuals (PVRs). This study aimed to investigate the individual contribution of epidurally administrated drugs and surgery in bladder dysfunction. ⋯ Thoracic epidurally administrated bupivacaine resulted in clinically relevant PVRs based on impaired detrusor function. The addition of fentanyl enhanced this effect without generating greater PVRs. After surgery, the voiding phase was not further impaired; however, bladder compliance was decreased.
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Survival from critical illness has improved in recent years, leading to increased attention to the sequelae of such illness. Neuromuscular weakness in the intensive care unit (ICU) is common, persistent, and has significant public health implications. The differential diagnosis of weakness in the ICU is extensive and includes critical illness neuromyopathy. ⋯ Various technologies exist to increase compliance with early mobilization programs. Drugs targeting muscle pathways to decrease atrophy and muscle-wasting are in development. Additional research on early mobilization in the ICU is needed.
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Because the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) coupled pathway is believed to amplify inflammation prevailing in sepsis, the authors tested the hypotheses that the insertion-deletion polymorphism (-94ins/delATTG) (1) alters nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-κB and activator protein-1 (NF-κB1) in monocytes after lipopolysaccharide stimulation; (2) affects lipopolysaccharide-induced NF-κB1 messenger RNA expression, tumor necrosis factor α concentrations, and tissue factor activity; and (3) may be associated with increased 30-day mortality in patients with sepsis. ⋯ The deletion allele of the NFκB1 insertion-deletion (-94ins/delATTG) polymorphism is associated with increased 30-day mortality in patients with severe sepsis and increased reaction of the innate immune system.
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The current state of knowledge suggests that disruption of neuronal information integration may be a common mechanism of anesthetic-induced unconsciousness. A neural system critical for information integration is the thalamocortical system whose specific and nonspecific divisions may play the roles for representing and integrating information, respectively. How anesthetics affect the function of these systems individually is not completely understood. The authors studied the effect of propofol on thalamocortical functional connectivity in the specific and nonspecific systems, using functional magnetic resonance imaging. ⋯ Propofol conferred differential changes in functional connectivity of the specific and nonspecific thalamocortical systems, particularly in left hemisphere, consistent with the verbal nature of stimuli and task. The changes in nonspecific thalamocortical connectivity may correlate with the loss and return of consciousness.