Anesthesia and analgesia
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Apr 2007
Hypercapnia shortens emergence time from inhaled anesthesia in pigs.
Anesthetic clearance from the lungs and the circle rebreathing system can be maximized using hyperventilation and high fresh gas flows. However, the concomitant clearance of CO2 decreases PAco2, thereby decreasing cerebral blood flow and slowing the clearance of anesthetic from the brain. This study shows that in addition to hyperventilation, hypercapnia (CO2 infusion or rebreathing) is a significant factor in decreasing emergence time from inhaled anesthesia. ⋯ Hypercapnia, along with hyperventilation, may be used clinically to decrease emergence time from inhaled anesthesia. These time savings might reduce drug costs. In addition, higher PAco2 during emergence may enhance respiratory drive and airway protection after tracheal extubation.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Apr 2007
Case-series of nurse-administered nitrous oxide for urinary catheterization in children.
Children undergoing urologic imaging studies requiring urethral catheterization experience considerable discomfort and psychological distress. Nitrous oxide sedation may mitigate these detriments but the requirement for physician administration has limited the applicability of this technique. ⋯ Nitrous oxide sedation can be provided by a nurse-administered program in pediatric radiology. Administration of nitrous oxide for pediatric procedures by adequately trained nursing staff with appropriate multidisciplinary oversight may increase children's access to this sedative/analgesic drug.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Apr 2007
An analysis of factors influencing postanesthesia recovery after pediatric ambulatory tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy.
Many factors contribute to prolonged length of stay (LOS) for pediatric patients in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU). We designed this prospective study to identify the pre- and postoperative factors that prolong LOS. ⋯ This investigation is the first composite view of LOS in pediatric patients. The significance of identifying patients at risk of prolonged LOS prior to anesthesia is of use not only in allocating PACU resource and staffing needs, but also for improving quality of care and ensuring a minimally traumatic anesthetic experience for our pediatric patients and their families.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Apr 2007
Comparative StudyChanges in the light intensity of the fiberoptic laryngoscope blade by steam sterilization.
I investigated the effects of steam sterilization on light intensity of reusable fiberoptic laryngoscope blades. ⋯ Disposable plastic blades provide more illumination than reusable fiberoptic blades subjected to repeated sterilization.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Apr 2007
Comparative StudyThe cutaneous analgesic effect of class I antiarrhythmic drugs.
Local anesthetics, when applied to nerves, produce reversible loss of sensation by blocking Na+ channels. Because all Class I antiarrhythmic drugs are Na+ channel blockers, theoretically, they may have local anesthetic effects. In this study, we sought to define the cutaneous local anesthetic actions of three Class I antiarrhythmic drugs. ⋯ Three Class I antiarrhythmic drugs, quinidine (IA), mexiletine (IB), and flecainide (IC) have a local anesthetic effect on cutaneous analgesia.