Anesthesia and analgesia
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Feb 2014
The effectiveness of different functional fibrinogen polymerization assays in eliminating platelet contribution to clot strength in thromboelastometry.
Viscoelastic tests such as functional fibrinogen polymerization assays (FFPAs) in thrombelastography (TEG®) or thromboelastometry (ROTEM®) measure clot elasticity under platelet inhibition. Incomplete platelet inhibition influences maximum clot firmness (MCF) of FFPAs. We compared the ability of existing and newly developed FFPAs to eliminate the platelet contribution to clot strength. ⋯ FFPAs based solely on glycoprotein-IIb/IIIa inhibition, such as FFTEG or EXTEM-ABC, are less effective than cytochalasin D-based assays, such as FIBTEM or FIBTEM-S, at inhibiting the platelet component of clot strength. The FIBTEM PLUS assay, and the combination of FIBTEM and abciximab, sufficiently inhibits platelet contribution to clot elasticity. The combination of a glycoprotein-IIb/IIIa receptor blocker and cytochalasin D allows evaluation of functional fibrinogen polymerization without platelet "noise." In a clinical setting, the significance of potent platelet inhibition ensures a more accurate assessment of MCF and therefore the need for fibrinogen supplementation therapy. Further studies are necessary to investigate the application and impact of these tests in a clinical situation.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Feb 2014
The effect of propofol on intrathecal morphine-induced pruritus and its mechanism.
Previous studies have shown that a low dose of propofol IV bolus had a beneficial effect on intrathecal morphine-induced pruritus in humans. However, its exact mechanism has not been fully understood. In this study, we hypothesized that propofol relieved intrathecal morphine-induced pruritus in rats by upregulating the expression of cannabinoid-1 (CB[1]) receptors in anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). ⋯ Morphine elicits dose-independent scratching responses after intrathecal injection in rats. Morphine 40 μg/kg intrathecal injection-induced scratching responses can be prevented by propofol. Increased protein expression of CB(1) receptors in ACC may contribute to the reversal of intrathecal morphine-induced scratching.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Feb 2014
Meta AnalysisTransversus abdominis plane block to ameliorate postoperative pain outcomes after laparoscopic surgery: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Meta-analysis of 10 RCTs totalling 633 subjects showed that while pain at rest following laparoscopic surgery was reduced by transverse abdominis plane block, early (0-4 h) pain was only moderately reduced (-2.4 cm) and late pain (24 hours) minimally reduced (-1.3 cm). Pain with movement was not significantly different between TAP blocks and controls.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Feb 2014
The impact of sleep apnea on postoperative utilization of resources and adverse outcomes.
Despite the concern that sleep apnea (SA) is associated with increased risk for postoperative complications, a paucity of information is available regarding the effect of this disorder on postoperative complications and resource utilization in the orthopedic population. With an increasing number of surgical patients suffering from SA, this information is important to physicians, patients, policymakers, and administrators alike. ⋯ The presence of SA is a major clinical and economic challenge in the postoperative period. More research is needed to identify SA patients at risk for complications and develop evidence-based practices to aid in the allocation of clinical and economic resources.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Feb 2014
Observational StudyPlatelet Dysfunction as Measured by a Point-of-Care Monitor is an Independent Predictor of High Blood Loss in Cardiac Surgery.
Excessive bleeding carries a heavy burden of illness in cardiac surgery. Although platelet dysfunction is considered to be an important cause, it is not routinely measured. Our objective was to explore the relationship between platelet dysfunction and blood loss in cardiac surgery. ⋯ Platelet dysfunction, as measured by a point-of-care method during rewarming and postprotamine, is independently associated with high blood loss in cardiac surgery. Additional studies are needed to determine whether the incorporation of this assay into blood management algorithms might help rationalize blood transfusion therapy, potentially reducing blood loss and improving clinical outcomes.