European journal of anaesthesiology
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In 1988, a confidential postal questionnaire was prepared in order to assess the techniques used routinely in France for prophylaxis of aspiration of gastric contents in obstetrics. Of the 297 anaesthetists who responded, 81% (237) worked almost always and 19% worked occasionally in obstetric anaesthesia. Although obstetric anaesthesia is considered to carry a particular risk of aspiration of gastric contents (88.5% of responders), only 23% used in every case a complete set of prophylactic measures. ⋯ Among the users of cricoid pressure, 52% were able to describe precisely the technique. Tracheal intubation is considered mandatory when general anaesthesia is performed for Caesarean section but not for uterine revision or instrumental manoeuvre. 74% of obstetric anaesthetists believe that regional anaesthesia is the best anaesthetic technique for Caesarean section. This survey has shown both positive results indicating that continuing medical education of French anaesthetists follows at least in part the 'state of the art' and insufficiencies indicating that training continues to be necessary to reduce the mortality related to aspiration of gastric contents.
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The effect on in vitro migration of leucocytes and lymphocytes of various drugs used in anaesthesia have been determined in the concentration range 10(-2) to 10(-6) M. The drugs included, thiopentone, bupivacaine, lignocaine, adrenaline, noradrenaline, hydrocortisone, morphine (with and without preservative), lorazepam, suxamethonium, pancuronium and atropine. Toxicity and effect on random mobility after incubation for 1 and 18 h were also determined. ⋯ Morphine showed no effect at 10(-4) M, a level 1,000 times greater than the reported toxic plasma levels. However, this level falls within the range reported for drug addicts. No effects were found for the other drugs.
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The present study investigated the relationship between supraphysiological plasma concentrations of adrenaline and the resulting haemodynamic and metabolic effects. Adrenaline was administered at five infusion rates (0.01-0.2 micrograms kg-1 min-1) in an escalating sequence to eight volunteers. The arterial plasma concentration of adrenaline increased from 53 +/- 44 to 4349 +/- 818 ng litre-1 during the highest infusion rate. ⋯ Non-esterified fatty acids increased from 379 +/- 97 to 1114 +/- 331 mumol litre-1 during the 0.06 microgram kg-1 min-1 infusion rate. Adrenaline had no selective haemodynamic effect. If similar metabolic effects occur in patients during treatment with adrenaline or other sympathomimetics, they may further increase breakdown of energy stores in a situation of increased catabolism, and impair utilization of parenteral nutrition.
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In vitro contracture tests for susceptibility to malignant hyperthermia (MH) were performed in 96 patients according to the protocol of the European MH Group. In addition, tests were performed with halothane 0.44 mmol l-1 and 0.66 mmol l-1, and caffeine 2 mmol l-1, each added as a single bolus dose to fresh specimens. For all tests the size of contractures were recorded, and for the diagnostic tests the halothane and caffeine threshold concentrations were determined (i.e. the minimal concentrations eliciting a contracture of 0.2 g). ⋯ We conclude that, in our laboratory, the results obtained with the two major protocols for investigation of MH susceptibility are not identical. Patients surviving fulminant MH, however, react abnormally to nearly all the tests. For validation and possibly further standardization of the tests each laboratory must investigate a large number of normal controls and as many patients surviving fulminant MH as possible.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Topical anaesthesia of the larynx: cocaine or lignocaine?
A double-blind, randomized study compared the cardiovascular responses and extubation conditions using lignocaine or cocaine for topical anaesthesia of the larynx. Absorption of both agents from the trachea was quantified by serial venous plasma concentrations. Serial blood pressure, ECG, O2 saturation and end-tidal carbon dioxide measurements were obtained. ⋯ No difference was found in cardiovascular measurements between the two groups. The patterns of absorption of cocaine and lignocaine from the laryngeal mucosa were very similar, with peak absorption occurring at 10-15 min after laryngeal spraying. Although cocaine reduced the incidence of post-operative coughing when compared with lignocaine, this did not reach statistical significance.