European journal of anaesthesiology
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Acute respiratory distress syndrome is characterised by activation of the inflammatory cascade. The only treatment that reduces the mortality rate associated with this syndrome is lung protective ventilation, which requires sedation of patients. Sedation in critical care units is usually induced intravenously, although there is reason to believe that inhaled anaesthetics are a suitable alternative. Sevoflurane has recently been shown to modulate the lung inflammatory response in a model of lung injury more favourably than propofol. ⋯ At 240 min, median and interquartile range (IQR) concentrations of cytokines in bronchial lavage specimens in group S were lower than those in group P [interleukin-1β (IL-1β) 53, IQR 16-140 vs. 311, IQR 183-637 pg ml, P = 0.04; tumour necrosis factor-α 347, IQR 161-433 vs. 552, IQR 475-649 pg ml, P = 0.04; and IL-6 101, IQR 76-282 vs. 580, IQR 369-701 pg ml, P = 0.03]. The polymorphonuclear neutrophil count was also lower in group S (P = 0.007), which also had a higher PaO2/FiO2 ratio.
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Comparative Study
Comparison of three techniques for calculation of the Parkland formula to aid fluid resuscitation in paediatric burns.
Inadequate fluid resuscitation of acute burns may result in hypovolaemic shock. Excessive fluid resuscitation may result in fluid overload. A nomogram which uses the popular Parkland formula and '4-2-1' regime has been recently described to facilitate the calculation of fluid requirements in children during the first 24 h following burn injury. ⋯ The nomogram was the most accurate method of calculating fluid requirements using the Parkland formula, was only slightly slower than the electronic calculator and was deemed the easiest to use. The nomogram is also low cost, robust, and provides a rapid means of detecting and preventing the large errors that we have shown can occur when an electronic device is used as the primary method of resuscitation fluid calculation. We, therefore, suggest that the nomogram is a suitable method for the calculation of the Parkland formula to guide resuscitation and maintenance fluid requirements in the first 24 h of paediatric burns or for cross-checking the results obtained by other means of calculation.