Annales françaises d'anesthèsie et de rèanimation
-
Ann Fr Anesth Reanim · Jan 1986
Case Reports[Carpopedal spasm during anesthesia with halothane: malignant hyperthermia or tetany?].
A case of probable crisis of malignant hyperthermia triggered by halothane is reported. The diagnosis was rapidly suspected; it evolved rapidly after the start of the specific treatment of malignant hyperthermia and the injection of calcium and thiopentone. The diagnosis and the role of calcium and thiopentone are discussed.
-
As diagnostic methods of detecting drug-specific IgE antibodies become more sophisticated, the evidence implicating specific IgE in anaesthetic allergy has increased. To implicate IgE in reactions, a history resembling anaphylaxis, the demonstration of drug-specific histamine release by intradermal testing and the demonstration of specific antibodies are necessary. Such evidence is seen in 70% of muscle relaxant reactors. Basophil histamine release studies suggest that histamine release is allergen-induced, not direct, and the final evidence necessary is to demonstrate the role of drug-specific antibodies in such histamine release.
-
Ann Fr Anesth Reanim · Jan 1985
Comparative Study[Atracurium and cirrhosis: clinical study of the curariform action].
Hepatic function influences the action of muscle relaxants. Among these drugs, the elimination of atracurium does not depend on liver function. The clinical effects of atracurium were studied in ten patients with portal hypertension and some degree of liver dysfunction and in ten normal patients. ⋯ No statistically significant differences were observed. It is suggested that non significant differences observed could be attributed to an increased volume of distribution of drugs in the cirrhotic patient. These results would suggest that atracurium may be the best relaxant in patients with severe liver failure.