European journal of anaesthesiology
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The potential for increased drug administration errors during the transition to the International Colour Coding syringe labelling system has been highlighted. The purpose of this study was to assess the potential effects before their introduction into our department. ⋯ Although only one drug was given in active error, latent errors occurred in 15% of drug administrations. The only factor conferring protection against error was prior experience of the new labelling system. The period of transition to the International Colour Coding syringe labelling system represents a time of increased risk of drug administration error.
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Recently published guidelines for checking anaesthetic equipment do not contain specific advice on how to check the correct functioning of the capnograph before inducing anaesthesia. ⋯ The most common method for testing capnograph function among consultant anaesthetists and their assistants in the UK is the direct measurement of exhaled breath.
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We conducted this study in order to evaluate the potential myotoxic effects of ropivacaine after single injection in rats and the time-course of the possible damage. ⋯ Ropivacaine after single intramuscular injection caused reversible muscle damage in a dose-dependent manner.
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Inhalation anaesthetics given only during post-ischaemic reperfusion have some protective effect against reperfusion injury in the heart. Adenosine triphosphate-regulated mitochondrial potassium channels have been shown to be an important mediator of cardioprotection. Thus, we investigated whether 5-hydroxydecanoate, a putative mitochondrial potassium channel blocker, prevents the cardioprotective effect of volatile anaesthetics. ⋯ 5-hydroxydecanoate alone caused no significant changes in haemodynamics and myocardial metabolism. However, the combination of 5-hydroxydecanoate and volatile anaesthetics impaired the recovery from ischaemia. Although animal data cannot be extrapolated to human beings, we suggest that more attention be paid to patients on sulphonylurea drugs, which inhibit potassium channels, when they are anaesthetized with volatile anaesthetics.