Anaesthesia and intensive care
-
Anaesth Intensive Care · Feb 1999
Case ReportsAnaesthesia for caesarean section in a patient with an intracranial arteriovenous malformation.
Intracranial haemorrhage from an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) during pregnancy is rare but may result in significant maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. In the untreated patient with an AVM, the best mode of delivery remains debatable with most obstetricians preferring a caesarean section in order to avoid Valsalva manoeuvres associated with vaginal delivery. We describe the administration of epidural anaesthesia for such a parturient undergoing Caesarean section and the anaesthetic implications.
-
Anaesth Intensive Care · Feb 1999
Prevalence and prediction of difficult intubation in Chinese women.
We conducted a prospective, blind observational study to investigate the prevalence and prediction of difficult intubation in Chinese women. Two groups of Chinese women were studied (151 pregnant and 260 non-pregnant). The prevalence of difficult intubation was 1.99% in the pregnant and 1.54% in the non-pregnant group. ⋯ Predictive variables for difficult intubation, including modified Mallampati class, thyromental distance and atlanto-occipital extension, had high sensitivity but low positive predictive value when used alone. A shorter thyromental distance had to be used as the criterion for prediction in Chinese women. Combination of predictive variables could improve the positive predictive value.
-
Anaesth Intensive Care · Feb 1999
Comparative StudyProtection from diaphragmatic fatigue by nitric oxide synthase inhibitor in dogs.
The role of endogenous nitric oxide (NO) in producing diaphragmatic fatigue was examined in 26 anaesthetized, mechanically ventilated dogs divided into four groups. In Group Ia (n = 5), dogs without fatigue received only Ringer's lactate solution. In Group Ib (n = 5), dogs without fatigue were given i.v. ⋯ In Group IIb, given L-NAME before producing fatigue, Pdi at both stimuli did not change. In conclusion, L-NAME inhibits the production of diaphragmatic fatigue. This finding suggests that endogenous NO plays an important role in producing diaphragmatic fatigue.
-
Anaesth Intensive Care · Feb 1999
Comment Letter Biography Historical ArticleThe Marrett apparatus.