Anaesthesia and intensive care
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Feb 2003
Case ReportsAngioedema of the tongue due to acquired C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency.
We describe the management of an 83-year-old woman who presented with upper airway obstruction due to angioedema of the tongue. Following definitive airway management, investigation showed a diagnosis of acquired C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency (acquired angioedema) that was considered to be subsequent to haematological malignancy. ⋯ This case report highlights the potential for acquired angioedema to cause upper airway obstruction. The various treatment modalities for acquired C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency are summarized.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Feb 2003
Consequences of syringe size sensor malfunction in a modern infusion pump.
Prompted by an actual case of potentially life-threatening infusion pump malfunction, we investigated the effects of wire breakage(s) within the syringe size sensor circuit in a Graseby 3400 infusion pump. The circuit wires within the sensor were systematically broken. The syringe sizes recognised by the sabotaged circuit and the actual sizes of syringes inserted into the pump were compared. ⋯ Only 1.3% of the possible wire breakage(s) were recognised as errors by the pump. The infusion rates were not affected in 22.5% of the cases. Wire breakage within the syringe size sensor in infusion pumps is yet another potential source of infusion error, with important safety implications.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Feb 2003
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialMidazolam pretreatment reduces etomidate-induced myoclonic movements.
During induction of anaesthesia with etomidate, myoclonic muscle movements are frequent. In this study, pretreatment with a small dosage of etomidate or midazolam was compared with placebo for the prevention of myoclonic muscle movements. Sixty patients, premedicated with oral midazolam, were pretreated in a randomized double-blinded fashion with etomidate 0.05 mg/kg i.v., midazolam 0.015 mg/kg i.v. or normal saline i.v. (placebo) in three groups of 20 patients each. ⋯ Myoclonic movements were graded on a scale of 0 to 3. The incidence of myoclonic movements was significantly lower in patients pretreated with midazolam (4 of 20) compared with placebo (18/20) (P < 0.01). Midazolam 0.015 mg/kg i.v., administered 90 seconds before induction of anaesthesia with etomidate, is effective in reducing etomidate-induced myoclonic muscle movements.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Feb 2003
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialThe efficacy and cost-effectiveness of prophylactic 5-hydroxytryptamine3 receptor antagonists: tropisetron, ondansetron and dolasetron.
There are currently three 5-hydroxytryptamine3 (5-HT3) receptor antagonists available in Australia. In this randomized, double-blind, parallel group study the prophylactic antiemetic effect of a single dose of tropisetron 2 mg, ondansetron 4 mg or dolasetron 12.5 mg was compared after major gynaecological surgery. One hundred and eighteen patients (group T n = 42; group O n = 36; group D n = 40) were evaluated for nausea, vomiting, recovery characteristics and satisfaction for 24 hours postoperatively. ⋯ The incidence of nausea and the overall and interval nausea scores were similar except for lower "worst nausea" score in group T between 12 and 18 hours (P = 0.02). Recovery times, satisfaction and cost per patient did not differ between groups. We conclude that the risk of postoperative nausea and vomiting remained high in this setting despite 5-HT3 receptor antagonist prophylaxis and that the choice between these agents should be based on the lowest available acquisition cost.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Feb 2003
ReviewAvoiding inadvertent epidural injection of drugs intended for non-epidural use.
Inadvertent administration of non-epidural medications into the epidural space has the potential for serious morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to collate reported incidents of this type, describe the potential mechanisms of occurrence and identify possible solutions. We searched medical databases and reviewed reference lists of papers retrieved, covering a period of 35 years, regarding this type of medication incident. ⋯ Given that no effective treatment for such errors has been identified, prevention should be the main defence strategy. Despite all the precautions that are currently undertaken, accidents will inevitably occur. We have identified areas for systemwide change that may prevent these types of incidents from occurring in future.