Anesthesia and analgesia
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Sep 2004
Case ReportsManagement of an unusual complication during placement of a pulmonary artery catheter.
We describe an unusual complication during flotation of a pulmonary artery catheter through a preexisting percutaneous introducer sheath. A malfunctioning pulmonary artery catheter, which was placed through an introducer sheath in the right internal jugular vein, was removed. ⋯ Under continuous fluoroscopy, the introducer sheath and the pulmonary artery catheter were withdrawn as one unit, which resulted in relaxation of the acute angulation in the introducer sheath and allowed the pulmonary artery catheter to unfold, thus facilitating their complete extraction. We conclude that complications may occur during placement of a pulmonary artery catheter through a well positioned introducer sheath and that fluoroscopy is a valuable tool for safe management of such a complication.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Sep 2004
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialA comparison of intrathecal plain solutions containing ropivacaine 20 or 15 mg versus bupivacaine 10 mg.
Ropivacaine, which blocks sensory nerve fibers more readily than motor fibers, is considered to be less potent than bupivacaine. Our hypothesis was that, when used in spinal anesthesia for day surgery, ropivacaine 15 and 20 mg would provide faster motor recovery than bupivacaine 10 mg. This prospective, randomized, double-blinded study included 90 ambulatory lower-extremity surgery patients who received 2 mL of ropivacaine 1%, ropivacaine 0.75%, or bupivacaine 0.5%. ⋯ Ropivacaine 15 mg provided faster recovery of motor block (150 min) than did bupivacaine 10 mg (210 min; P = 0.005), but the median duration of sensory block at T10 (140 min) did not differ significantly from that with bupivacaine 10 mg (140 min). The median duration of sensory block at T10 was significantly longer with ropivacaine 20 mg (170 min) than with bupivacaine 10 mg (140 min; P = 0.005), but the median recovery from motor block (210 min) did not differ significantly. We conclude that the duration of sensory block of ropivacaine was two thirds and the duration of motor block was half when compared with bupivacaine, with calculations based on the duration-per-milligram of the local anesthetic.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Sep 2004
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialActivation of hemostasis after coronary artery bypass grafting with or without cardiopulmonary bypass.
Activation of coagulation, fibrinolysis, and the vascular endothelium occurs after heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), but the effects of eliminating CPB in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) are unknown. Therefore, we compared the hemostatic profiles of off-pump and on-pump CABG patients. Two groups of consecutive patients participating in a larger trial (the Octopus Trial) were randomly allocated to undergo CABG with (n = 20) or without (n = 20) CPB. ⋯ In both groups, von Willebrand factor concentrations were increased until Day 4 (CPB, 308% [228%-405%]; off-pump, 288% [167%-334%]). Despite heparinization, CABG surgery with CPB was associated with excessive thrombin generation and fibrinolytic activity immediately after surgery. The off-pump group demonstrated a delayed postoperative response that became equal in magnitude to the CPB in the later (20-96 h) postoperative period.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Sep 2004
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialBupivacaine in microcapsules prolongs analgesia after subcutaneous infiltration in humans: a dose-finding study.
In this study, we examined the onset and duration of local analgesic effects of bupivacaine incorporated into biodegradable microcapsules (extended-duration local anesthetic; EDLA) administered as subcutaneous infiltrations in different doses in humans. In 18 volunteers, the skin on the medial calf was infiltrated with 10 mL of EDLA, and the opposite calf was infiltrated with 10 mL of aqueous bupivacaine (5.0 mg/mL) in a double-blinded, randomized manner. Three different concentrations of EDLA were tested (6.25, 12.5, and 25 mg/mL), with 6 subjects in each group. ⋯ In general, a dose-response gradient was seen in the EDLA group for 5 of 7 variables when the curves expressing effect over time for the different concentrations were evaluated. No serious side effects were observed for up to 6 mo after administration. In conclusion, bupivacaine incorporated in microcapsules provided analgesia for 96 h after subcutaneous infiltration.