Anaesthesia and intensive care
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Jan 2008
Review Case ReportsArterial gas embolism: a review of cases at Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, 1996 to 2006.
Arterial gas embolism may occur as a complication of diving or certain medical procedures. Although relatively rare, the consequences may be disastrous. Recent articles in the critical care literature suggest the non-hyperbaric medical community may not be aware of the role for hyperbaric oxygen therapy in non-diving related gas embolism. ⋯ Two remained severely affected with major neurological injury. Both had non-diving-related arterial gas embolism. There was a good outcome in the majority of patients who presented with arterial gas embolism and were treated with compression.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Jan 2008
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyA comparison of the effect of total intravenous anaesthesia with propofol and remifentanil and inhalational anaesthesia with isoflurane on the release of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in patients undergoing open cholecystectomy.
The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of two anaesthetic techniques (total intravenous technique vs. inhalational technique) on changes in pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine levels during open cholecystectomy. Forty ASA PS I-II patients undergoing open cholecystectomy were randomly assigned to two groups. Group R received total intravenous anaesthesia with propofol and remifentanil and group F received balanced inhalational anaesthesia with isoflurane. ⋯ By the end of anaesthesia and surgery, TNF-alpha and IL-6 were significantly lower in group R than in group F (P < 0.05). At the end of anaesthesia and 12 hours postoperatively, IL-10 levels in group R were higher than in group F (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that total intravenous anaesthesia using propofol and remifentanil suppresses the inflammatory response caused by surgery to a greater extent than a balanced inhalation technique using isoflurane.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Jan 2008
The incidence and risk of central venous catheter malpositioning: a prospective cohort study in 1619 patients.
Central venous catheters are used in various hospital wards. An anterior-posterior chest X-ray is usually obtained soon after cannulation to assess the location of the catheter tip. This prospective clinical study was designed to determine the radiographic catheter tip position after central venous cannulation by various routes, to identify clinical problems possibly associated with the use of malpositioned catheters and to make a cost-benefit analysis of routine chest X-ray with respect to catheter malposition. ⋯ No case of malposition was associated with vascular perforation, local venous thrombosis or cerebral symptoms. We conclude that the radiographic incidence of central venous catheter malpositioning is low and that clinical use of malpositioned catheters is associated with few complications. However, determination of the catheter position by chest X-ray should be considered when mechanical complications cannot be excluded, aspiration of venous blood is not possible, or the catheter is intended for central venous pressure monitoring, high flow use or infusion of local irritant drugs.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Jan 2008
The pulmonary artery catheter in Australasia: a survey investigating intensive care physicians' knowledge and perception of future trends in use.
A survey was conducted to assess the knowledge and trends of use of the pulmonary artery catheter amongst intensive care practitioners in Australasia. A 31-item multiple choice questionnaire, identical to one previously trialled in studies in the United States and Europe, was distributed to all registered intensive care specialists and trainees working in intensive care units in Australasia. Five-hundred-and-forty-one questionnaires were distributed and 151 (27.9%) were returned, with an average mark of 82.7% +/- 9.3% and a range of 53.3 to 100%. ⋯ Sixty-one percent of respondents indicated they either agreed or strongly agreed with the statement that the use of echocardiography should supersede the use of the pulmonary artery catheter by intensive care specialists in the future. We concluded that in this study, knowledge of the pulmonary artery catheter and its use is better in Australasia than in previous studies in North America and Europe. The majority of respondents in Australasia believe that echocardiography will supersede the use of the pulmonary artery catheter in the future.