European journal of anaesthesiology
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Comment Letter
A multidisciplinary approach to intensive care medicine.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Barrier pressure of the oesophagogastric junction during propofol induction with and without alfentanil: a double-blind, randomised, crossover study in volunteers.
Practice varies regarding the use of opioids during rapid sequence induction. Controversy exists as to whether opioids may increase the risk of pulmonary aspiration by decreasing the barrier pressure (lower oesophageal sphincter-intragastric pressure). ⋯ Our study showed no increased risk regarding the integrity of the gastro-oesophageal junction when alfentanil is added during an induction with propofol in volunteers. This supports the practice of adding opioids as adjuvants during rapid sequence induction.
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Local neurotoxicity of local anaesthetics is a well known phenomenon which is determined by lipophilicity. Recent reports have indicated the relevance of local anaesthetic-induced cytotoxicity also in nonneuronal tissues. This study re-evaluates the role of lipophilicity in local anaesthetic cytotoxicity in nonneuronal cells. In addition, the toxicities of pipecoloxylidine S(-) enantiomers were investigated. ⋯ Moderate correlations for cytotoxicity with lipophilicity and clinical potency of local anaesthetics can be found in nonneuronal cells that are less than those reported previously with neuronal cells. Structural factors such as ester or amide linkage or stereospecificity do not have any influence on cytotoxicity. Although S(-) enantiomers may be advantageous with regard to systemic toxicity, they have no advantage in respect of local cytotoxicity in vitro.