Anaesthesia and intensive care
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Oct 2005
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudySub-Tenon's block in cataract surgery--a comparison of 1% ropivacaine and a mixture of 2% lignocaine and 0.5% bupivacaine.
Sub-Tenon's block for cataract surgery is an increasingly common technique. While this technique has been successfully applied, the optimal local anaesthetic solution is not known. This study was performed to assess any differences in anaesthesia and oculomotor block between 1% ropivacaine and a 2% lignocaine with 0.5% bupivacaine mixture. The results indicate that there was no difference noted in the clinical effect between the solutions.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Oct 2005
Perioperative beta-blockade: guidelines and practice in New Zealand.
The aim of our study was to describe the knowledge and practice of New Zealand anaesthetists in relation to perioperative beta-adrenergic blockade, and to define barriers to implementation of perioperative beta-blockade in surgical patients at risk of myocardial ischaemia. A survey was sent to 400 New Zealand specialist anaesthetists. Information was sought on their knowledge and current practice relating to perioperative beta-blockade, and the barriers encountered to implementing therapy. ⋯ This study has identified variations in practice and reasons why New Zealand anaesthetists use of perioperative beta-blockers is at odds with published guidelines. Deficiencies in the guidelines are part of the problem. However, even with consensus on guidelines, effective multidisciplinary strategies will be required to optimize treatment of patients at risk of perioperative cardiac events.
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Erythropoietin is a glycoprotein hormone mainly released by the kidney, which stimulates red blood cell production. However, in sepsis, the mechanisms responsible for the final increase in circulating erythropoietin remain unclear Seventeen critically ill patients with Simplified Acute Physiologic Score average 66 (range 43 to 103) were included in this study. Ten patients survived and seven died within 28 days. ⋯ High serum erythropoietin levels in non-survivors were observed with septic shock despite an increase in the levels of proinflammatory cytokines. We found a relationship between erythropoietin concentration and biological markers of tissue hypoperfusion i.e. lactate levels or PCO2 gap. This relationship could suggest tissue hypoperfusion as the stimulating factor for erythropoietin production in septic shock.
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Accidental hypothermia is not a frequent cause of death in Australia. Moreover it is rare to have an admission to hospital with a core temperature below 32 degrees C. ⋯ Our patient presented with severe accidental hypothermia and even though the admission core temperature was below 26 degrees she was successfully discharged from hospital after active re-warming with three different devices. She had laboratory and ECG findings associated with severe hypothermia.