European journal of anaesthesiology
-
Survey results continue to reveal that postoperative pain is insufficiently managed throughout Europe and the rest of the world. However, the efficient use of existing resources, as well as the introduction of novel technologies, may aid in its improvement. Use of an acute pain service has the potential to improve pain management through specialized patient care and utilization of effective analgesic techniques. ⋯ Adverse events associated with the use of the fentanyl iontophoretic transdermal system are generally similar to those experienced by patients using intravenous morphine patient-controlled analgesia. Considerations regarding the selection of patients for treatment with the fentanyl iontophoretic transdermal system are similar to those with other patient-controlled analgesia modalities; sufficient upper limb mobility and alertness are required to operate the system. Utilization of the fentanyl iontophoretic transdermal system, together with the guidance of an effective acute pain service, may lead to improvements in postoperative pain management.
-
Comparative Study
Antiplatelet therapy preceding coronary artery surgery: implications for bleeding, transfusion requirements and outcome.
Bleeding after cardiac surgery correlates with morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of antiplatelet therapy on bleeding and transfusion rates in coronary artery bypass grafting. ⋯ To overcome increased blood loss and transfusion rates, antiplatelet therapy should be discontinued for at least 2 days before elective coronary surgery. Whether patients at high risk for myocardial infarction might benefit from ongoing antiplatelet therapy remains to be investigated.
-
Multiple blood transfusions are considered a common cause of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We hypothesized that ARDS is more a consequence of ARDS risk factors (in particular circulatory shock) requiring transfusions than a result of the transfusions themselves. ⋯ In this retrospective study, the development of ARDS in massively transfused patients was less related to poly-transfusion than to other factors related to circulatory shock, polytrauma or thoracic trauma. Thoracic trauma and a low PaO2 during the first 24 h were identified as independent risk factors for ARDS.
-
The objective was to carry out a retrospective study of changes in regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2) using the Somanetics Invos Cerebral Oximeter (SICO) in older patients undergoing prolonged major abdominal surgery. Since evidence is accumulating that detection and correction of falls in rSO2 may be associated with a reduced incidence of postoperative cognitive dysfunction, the study assessed the incidence and possible predisposing factors for significant falls in rSO2 and strategies for correction. ⋯ This retrospective study confirms that a significant reduction in rSO2 is a common accompaniment to prolonged major abdominal surgery in elderly patients, especially if associated with blood loss, and is correctable by blood transfusion. In most cases, these changes would have gone unnoticed with conventional monitoring.