Annales françaises d'anesthèsie et de rèanimation
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Ann Fr Anesth Reanim · Jan 1994
[Subarachnoid hemorrhage: cerebral damage, fluid balance, intracranial pressure and pressure-volume relation].
Changes in osmolality and electrolyte concentrations are observed frequently in patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). Intracranial pressure (ICP) plays a determinant role in the development of secondary brain damage following SAH and may be caused by haemorrhage itself, oedema formation and disturbance of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynamics. The relationships among these factors are the aim of this investigation. ⋯ Mannitol (1 g.kg-1.d-1 in four doses) was infused if the sodium plasma concentration was not corrected by the former treatment or if ICP exceeded 20 mmHg. Treatment was aimed at preserving cerebral perfusion by providing adequate pre-load, low viscosity (Ht 30%) and sustained arterial pressure. Correction of hyponatraemia was therefore achieved more through hypertonic fluids infusion than by using diuretics.
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Ann Fr Anesth Reanim · Jan 1994
[Physiopathological consequences of blood-brain barrier involvement].
Most of the adverse effects of cerebral injury derive result from the formation of cerebral oedema, which causes brain swelling, brain shift and intracranial hypertension. The mechanisms of cerebral oedema are specific of the type of cerebral injury and the effectiveness of treatments such as corticosteroids depend on the type of cerebral oedema. ⋯ Signs of upward transtentorial herniation are less specific. Early detection of these syndromes is essential if therapeutic measures to reduce intracranial pressure are to be taken before secondary neurological injury occurs.
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Ann Fr Anesth Reanim · Jan 1994
Case Reports[Accidental subdural extra-arachnoid catheterization during epidural analgesia in obstetrics].
The authors describe a case of accidental catheterization of the subdural extra-arachnoid space during epidural analgesia for labour. The epidural catheter had been inserted at the L3-L4 interspace without any problem. A severe hypotension occurred 90 min after the onset of analgesia. ⋯ After delivery, a water-soluble contrast medium (10 mL of Omnipaque 180) was injected through the catheter and subsequent radiograph of spine showed subdural spread of the contrast medium. This complication might occur more frequently than usually thought and may be life-threatening. Anaesthetic management is discussed in the case of Caesarean section during labour.
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Pain at the site of propofol injection is a real problem which requires particular attention in children. In adults, undergoing planned surgery, premedication or opioid administration prior to propofol seem to sufficiently reduce the frequency and severity of the pain induced by the injection of the agent into a distal arm vein. Adding lidocaine to propofol just before the injection is debatable in day-case procedures, especially if the injection is carried out on the dorsum of the hand. In children, intravenous administration of lidocaine seems to be more routinely performed, whatever the type of surgery.
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Propofol ensures a calm and rapid induction of anaesthesia in case of planned cardioversion for supraventricular arrhythmia. An appropriate level of anaesthesia is obtained with a dose of 1.4 to 2 mg.kg-1. Propofol does not affect the success rate of cardioversion. ⋯ The frequent association with cardiac disease, in particular valvular disease or coronary insufficiency, should be taken into account and may represent a contra-indication for the administration of propofol. Furthermore, administration of this agent is not indicated if the arrhythmia is poorly tolerated, because of the risk of increasing hypotension. The known advantages of propofol on recovery have no significant role in this indication.