European journal of anaesthesiology
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Effects of epoetin alfa on blood transfusions and postoperative recovery in orthopaedic surgery: the European Epoetin Alfa Surgery Trial (EEST).
Preoperative epoetin alfa administration decreases transfusion requirements and may reduce transfusion complications, such as postoperative infection due to immune suppression and thus hospitalization time. This study examined the impact of preoperative epoetin alfa administration on postoperative recovery and infection rate. ⋯ Epoetin alfa increases perioperative Hb concentration in mild-to-moderately anaemic patients and thus reduces transfusion requirements. Patients receiving blood transfusions require a longer hospitalization than non-transfused patients.
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Clinical Trial
Monitoring of selective antegrade cerebral perfusion using near infrared spectroscopy in neonatal aortic arch surgery.
To prevent neurological complications, low-flow antegrade cerebral perfusion (ACP) is used during repair of complex congenital heart defects. To overcome technical problems, continuous monitoring of cerebral blood flow and oxygenation is mandatory. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of different ACP flow rates on cerebral oxygen saturation obtained by near infrared spectroscopy. ⋯ Near infrared spectroscopy reliably detects flow alterations during ACP with profound hypothermia.
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The exact change in circulating blood volume (BV) during general anaesthesia is still unknown because there is no standard method of evaluating BV. We evaluated the changes in BV by general anaesthesia using simple and easy estimation methods. ⋯ General anaesthesia increases BV. The value of BV calculated from the change in COP was most changeable.
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Clinical Trial
Plasma concentrations of nitric oxide products and cognitive dysfunction following coronary artery bypass surgery.
Prospective longitudinal studies now indicate that cognitive dysfunction following coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) is both common and persistent. This dysfunction is due in part to the inflammatory response and cerebral ischaemia-reperfusion, with nitric oxide (NO) as an important mediator of both. We hypothesized that a clinically significant association exists between plasma concentrations of nitrate/nitrite (NO3-/NO2-) and cognitive dysfunction after CABG. ⋯ Perioperative plasma NOx concentrations do not serve as an effective biomarker of cognitive deficit after CABG.