European journal of anaesthesiology
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The reasons for coagulopathy may be multiple and the identification of the underlying cause is often difficult. Recently, we identified two patients showing characteristics of heparin overdose during surgery. We hypothesised that filling a Shaldon dialysis catheter with heparin prior to closure, so-called heparin lock, might have triggered this coagulation disorder. Therefore, the aim of this in vitro study was to show whether this procedure can lead to an iatrogenic administration of heparin. ⋯ Following a heparin lock a considerable amount of the injected solution is accidentally administered to the patient. Only 49.1% of the injected volume may remain in the Shaldon catheter. This could lead to an increased risk of coagulopathy.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Levobupivacaine and fentanyl for spinal anaesthesia: a randomized trial.
Levobupivacaine 0.5% and racemic bupivacaine 0.5% are equally effective in spinal anaesthesia. Fentanyl has been used as an adjunct to racemic bupivacaine in spinal anaesthesia. At the time this study was designed, there was no published study on the intrathecal use of 0.5% levobupivacaine with fentanyl. ⋯ We conclude that 2.3 mL of 0.5% levobupivacaine with fentanyl 15 microg is as effective as 2.6 mL of 0.5% levobupivacaine alone in spinal anaesthesia for urological surgery. Further studies may be directed to find the optimal combination of levobupivacaine and opioid with maximal haemodynamic stability and least motor block.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Hyperbaric bupivacaine affects the doses of midazolam required for sedation after spinal anaesthesia.
Patients having spinal anaesthesia with hyperbaric bupivacaine may become sensitive to sedative drugs but no data exists about any dose-related effect of the local anaesthetic on the sedative requirement. We aimed to investigate whether hyperbaric bupivacaine dose in spinal anaesthesia has any effect on midazolam requirements. ⋯ Different doses of hyperbaric bupivacaine for spinal anaesthesia do not affect the midazolam requirements for sedation. However, spinal anaesthesia with hyperbaric bupivacaine with a maximum spread in the middle thoracic dermatomes may be associated with sedative effects and thus a reduced need for further sedation with midazolam.
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The neuromuscular effects of a bolus dose of rocuronium 0.6 mg kg(-1) under propofol anaesthesia in renal failure patients are prolonged compared to healthy patients. The present study aims to describe the neuromuscular effects of 0.3 mg kg(-1) rocuronium under propofol anaesthesia in patients with renal failure and to compare these effects with healthy control patients. ⋯ Rocuronium 0.3 mg kg(-1) is suitable for use in patients with renal failure when endotracheal intubation and neuromuscular block for a short period of time are needed. Tracheal intubation is facilitated within 4 min and the block can be antagonized within 20 min.