European journal of anaesthesiology
-
Comparative Study
Transoesophageal echocardiography accurately detects cardiac output variation: a prospective comparison with thermodilution in cardiac surgery.
Intraoperative Doppler ultrasound can be used to measure cardiac output by transoesophageal echocardiography. Recently, its reliability, when compared to the thermodilution technique, has been questioned. The purpose of this study was to compare intraoperative changes in cardiac output measured by echo-Doppler and by thermodilution in cardiac surgery. We also assessed the agreement between the techniques. ⋯ The agreement between cardiac output by echo-Doppler and by thermodilution is clinically acceptable and transoesophageal echocardiography is a reliable tool to assess significant cardiac output changes in a population of selected patients.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Elimination of sevoflurane is reduced in plasma-tight compared to conventional membrane oxygenators.
It has been demonstrated that volatile anaesthetics have cardioprotective properties during open-heart procedures, especially when administered continuously. European Council Directive 93/42/EEC concerning medical devices bans the supplementary incorporation of anaesthetic vaporizers in the bypass circuit. Since the uptake of volatile anaesthetics via diffusion membrane oxygenators is severely reduced, it is hypothesized that clinically relevant concentrations of sevoflurane will remain in the patients' blood following saturation with a volatile agent before start of cardiopulmonary bypass. This study was designed to compare conventional and diffusion membrane oxygenators regarding their in vivo elimination of sevoflurane. ⋯ With the incorporation of a poly-(4-methyl-1-pentene) oxygenator in a miniaturized bypass circuit, relevant concentrations of a previously applied volatile agent can be maintained even without further supply throughout cardiopulmonary bypass. This might be an alternative approach to cardioprotection when sevoflurane cannot be administered through cardiopulmonary bypass.
-
The electroencephalographic Narcotrend Index was evaluated as a measure of sedation in mechanically ventilated intensive care unit patients. Narcotrend Index and conventional electroencephalography parameter values were compared to the Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale and a simplified three-level sedation scale. ⋯ When used for assessment of propofol sedation in postsurgical cardiac intensive care unit patients, the Narcotrend Index can distinguish between very light and deep sedation. With respect to differentiation between light and moderate or moderate and deep sedation, the Narcotrend Index was not reliable in this study.
-
The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of perioperative myocardial damage detected by serial measurements of troponin I after hip surgery and its association with late cardiovascular outcome. ⋯ Troponin I release is common after hip surgery and is associated with a 10-fold increased incidence of long-term major cardiac events as compared to patients with normal troponin I levels (45% vs. 4%).
-
Intrathecal opioids are now used routinely in the UK for intra- and postoperative analgesia. The opioids of choice have altered over recent years and the dosage regimens used can vary between institutions. Concerns over safety have been reduced probably because much lower doses of opioids are now being used. This survey explored the practice of intrathecal opioid usage in the UK. ⋯ The use of low-dose lipophilic intrathecal opioids for postoperative analgesia is widespread in the UK. Patients are commonly nursed in low-dependency post-anaesthetic care areas. The low incidence of adverse events reported by the respondents along with the popularity of the technique suggests that low-dose spinal opioid administration is safe.