Anesthesia and analgesia
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Jan 2013
Comparative StudyValidation of a stand-alone near-infrared spectroscopy system for monitoring cerebral autoregulation during cardiac surgery.
Individualizing arterial blood pressure (ABP) targets during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) based on cerebral blood flow (CBF) autoregulation monitoring may provide a more effective means for preventing cerebral hypoperfusion than the current standard of care. Autoregulation can be monitored in real time with transcranial Doppler (TCD). We have previously demonstrated that near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)-derived regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rS(c)O(2)) provides a clinically suitable surrogate of CBF for autoregulation monitoring. The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of a stand-alone "plug-and-play" investigational system for autoregulation monitoring that uses a commercially available NIRS monitor with TCD methods. ⋯ Monitoring CBF autoregulation with an investigational stand-alone NIRS monitor is correlated and in good agreement with TCD-based methods. The availability of such a device would allow widespread autoregulation monitoring as a means of individualizing ABP targets during CPB.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Jan 2013
Randomized Controlled TrialEfficacy of intrathecal baclofen on different pain qualities in complex regional pain syndrome.
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is characterized by severe debilitating chronic pain. Patients with CRPS may experience various pain sensations, which likely embody different pathophysiologic mechanisms. In this study, we evaluated the differential effects of central γ-aminobutyric acid (B) receptor stimulation on the different pain qualities in CRPS patients with dystonia. ⋯ γ-Aminobutyric acid (B) receptor stimulation by ITB exerts differential antinociceptive effects on specific pain qualities in CRPS patients with dystonia.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Jan 2013
Case ReportsCase report: ultrasound-guided continuous thoracic paravertebral block for outpatient acute pain management of multilevel unilateral rib fractures.
A 61-year-old man with multiple unilateral rib fractures (T3-T8) gained the ability to breathe deeply and to ambulate after ultrasound-guided continuous thoracic paravertebral block and was discharged home after being observed for 15 hours after the block. The ultrasound guidance was helpful in determining the site of rib fractures and the optimal level for catheter placement. This report also discusses the management of analgesia using continuous paravertebral block in an outpatient with trauma.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Jan 2013
Randomized Controlled TrialHigh- versus low-stimulation current threshold for axillary plexus blocks: a prospective randomized triple-blinded noninferiority trial in 205 patients.
For nerve stimulator-guided regional anesthesia, one has to compromise between a presumed low success rate (using a high-current threshold) and a presumed increased risk of nerve damage (using a low-current threshold). We hypothesized that high-current thresholds in the range of 0.9 to 1.1 mA are not inferior with respect to the procedural and latency times compared with low threshold currents in the range of 0.3 to 0.5 mA for nerve stimulation in brachial plexus blocks. ⋯ Noninferiority for the high-current threshold technique could neither be confirmed for the primary end point nor for secondary end points. However, we consider a difference in mean times of approximately 8.5 minutes to achieve readiness for surgery acceptable for clinical practice.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Jan 2013
ReviewCurrent status of pharmacologic therapies in patient blood management.
Patient blood management(1,2) incorporates patient-centered, evidence-based medical and surgical approaches to improve patient outcomes by relying on the patient's own (autologous) blood rather than allogeneic blood. Particular attention is paid to preemptive measures such as anemia management. ⋯ Patient blood management(3) structures its goals by avoiding blood transfusion(4) with effective use of alternatives to allogeneic blood transfusion.(5) These alternatives include autologous blood procurement, preoperative autologous blood donation, acute normovolemic hemodilution, and intra/postoperative red blood cell (RBC) salvage and reinfusion. Reviewed here are the available pharmacologic tools for anemia and blood management: erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs), iron therapy, hemostatic agents, and potentially, artificial oxygen carriers.