Anesthesiology
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Biography Historical Article
ASA Award: Francis F. Foldes. American Society of Anesthesiology.
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Letter Comparative Study
Comparing the efficacy of epidural opiates with that of patient-controlled analgesia.
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Comparative Study
Preparation of anesthesia machines for patients susceptible to malignant hyperthermia.
Malignant hyperthermia is a potentially lethal syndrome that can be triggered by inhaled anesthetics. Thus, it may be appropriate to utilize equipment that minimizes exposure of susceptible patients to inhaled anesthetics. The rate of release of anesthetic stored in anesthesia delivery systems is unknown. ⋯ Isoflurane washed out 3-4 times faster than halothane. Residual halothane concentration was approximately equal to tenfold greater when the fresh gas flow was 1 l/min rather than 10 l/min: 194 versus 19 ppm after 1 h of washout. Using a 10-l/min fresh gas flow, halothane concentrations in samples obtained from the Y-piece were similar with original or fresh soda lime but were more than tenfold lower after the fresh gas outlet hose and circle system were replaced (approximately equal to 50 ppm vs. approximately equal to 5 ppm after 5 min of washout).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)