Annales françaises d'anesthèsie et de rèanimation
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Ann Fr Anesth Reanim · Jan 1994
Case Reports[Arterial embolism caused by an intra-aortic thrombus or a patent foramen ovale? Diagnosis by transesophageal echocardiography].
This case report demonstrates the value of transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) in comparison with transthoracic echocardiography as it allows a better view of the thoracic aorta, the auricles, the interauricular septum and the cardiac valves, especially in the intubated and ventilated patients. A 84-year-old woman was admitted to the ICU for hypoxia after carotid-subclavian bypass surgery for acute ischaemia of the left upper limb. ⋯ The patient died on the 8th postoperative day from refractory hypoxia. the autopsy confirmed the pulmonary embolism and the intraaortic thrombi. It is concluded that TOE, readily feasible is indicated in case of hypoxia, shock and systemic embolism without cause immediately recognizable, especially in ventilated patients.
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Ann Fr Anesth Reanim · Jan 1994
Case Reports[Value of fiberoptic bronchoscope in children with epiglottitis].
Acute epiglottitis is an infectious disease causing a severe respiratory distress. Any attempt to move the child in the horizontal position or to examine his throat can result in cardiac arrest. Diagnosis, endotracheal intubation as well as decision making of the optimal time for extubation are greatly facilitated by the use of a fiberoptic bronchoscope. ⋯ The expiratory flow blows bubbles of saliva, which guide the bronchoscope to the glottis. When the internal diameter of the endotracheal tube is larger than 4 mm, the bronchoscope is used as a guide. When it is less than 4 mm. the bronchoscope is inserted in the trachea with a guide wire slipped in the operating channel; the bronchoscope, but not the wire is withdrawn and the endotracheal tube is inserted over the guide wire.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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Two cases of severe accidental hypothermia (core temperature below 25 degrees C) are reported. Both occurred in an urban area during the same winter period. Both patients had the same age and similar clinical symptoms. ⋯ Therefore a rapid rewarming via a cardiopulmonary bypass was preferred. The patient died from a prolonged shock with disseminated intravascular coagulation. The use of cardiopulmonary bypass which is essential in case of cardiac arrest rhythm, is controversial in case of severe hypothermia with a still beating heart.
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Although the importance of continuing medical education (CME) is a recognized fact, its modalities are still a controversial matter. In order to obtain informations on the demands and the difficulties to which French anaesthetist (AN) are faced with, the Committee for Education of the French Society of Anaesthesia (SFAR) carried out an inquiry with a questionnaire circulated to 7000 AN. ⋯ The inquiry seems to demonstrate a strong motivation for CME, as well as demands for training courses, courses extending over two days or more, and a self-assessment. The funding of the expenses as well as the difficulties to obtain a locum tenens were the two main obstacles which limited the access to CME.
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Ann Fr Anesth Reanim · Jan 1994
Comparative Study[Comparison of cardiac output measured continuously by thermodilution and calculated according to Fick's principle].
Recently, a thermodilution technique for continuous measurement of cardiac output was introduced. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of continuous cardiac output measurement using the thermodilution technique (CCO) and to assess the correspondence between CCO and cardiac output obtained with the Fick's principle (Fick-CO). Nine patients were studied in the postoperative period after cardiac surgery. ⋯ However, the accuracy of CCO is acceptable. The technique does not require any user calibration and eliminates the need of bolus injections. Further studies are necessary to determine the benefits of this new technique in the various clinical situations.