Anaesthesia and intensive care
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Nov 2018
Observational StudyPreoperative gastric residual volumes in fasted patients measured by bedside ultrasound: a prospective observational study.
The purpose of this prospective observational study was to measure gastric volumes in fasted patients using bedside gastric ultrasound. Patients presenting for non-emergency surgery underwent a gastric antrum assessment, using the two-diameter and free-trace methods to determine antral cross-sectional area (CSA). Gastric residual volume (GRV) was calculated using a validated formula. ⋯ Our results indicate that despite compliance with fasting guidelines, a small percentage of patients still have GRVs that pose a pulmonary aspiration risk. Anaesthetists should consider this background incidence when choosing anaesthesia techniques for their patients. While future observational studies are required to determine the role of preoperative bedside gastric ultrasound, it is possible that this technique may assist anaesthetists in identifying patients with 'at risk' GRVs.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Nov 2018
An audit of the diagnostic accuracy of rotational thromboelastometry for the identification of hypofibrinogenaemia and thrombocytopenia during cardiopulmonary bypass.
We audited the diagnostic accuracy of ROTEM® (TEM Innovations, GmbH, Munich, Germany) measurements of hypofibrinogenaemia (fibrinogen <1.5 g/l) and thrombocytopenia (platelet count <100 x 109/l) in 200 adult non-transplant patients during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Blood samples were obtained for FIBTEM (assay for the fibrin part of the clot), PLTEM (calculated platelet-specific component), and laboratory measurements simultaneously. Our thresholds for FIBTEM and PLTEM were A10 (clot firmness 10 minutes after clotting time) ≤8 mm, and <35 mm respectively. ⋯ These findings indicate that during CPB FIBTEM A10 ≤8 mm and PLTEM A10 <35 mm have greater accuracy in identifying the absence of hypofibrinogenaemia and thrombocytopenia respectively than their presence. On the basis of these results we would be reassured by FIBTEM A10 values >8 mm and PLTEM A10 values ≥35 mm, but would continue to use laboratory measurements for confirmation. We would not use FIBTEM A10 ≤8 mm or PLTEM A10 <35 mm values alone to guide replacement therapy unless clinical conditions warranted an immediate decision before laboratory measurements were available.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Nov 2018
Case ReportsHyperinsulinaemic euglycaemic therapy use in neurogenic stunned myocardium following subarachnoid haemorrhage.
We present a 62-year-old female who collapsed with a subarachnoid haemorrhage. This was complicated by profound shock secondary to neurogenic stunned myocardium. ⋯ To our knowledge this has not previously been described in the literature. The patient proceeded to stabilise and made a good recovery.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Nov 2018
Case ReportsEpinephrine (adrenaline) preventing recovery from intraoperative anaphylactic shock complicated by systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve with left ventricular outflow tract obstruction on transoesophageal echocardiography.
We describe a case of severe left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) with severe mitral incompetence due to systolic anterior motion of the anterior mitral leaflet (SAM) that was recognised thanks to the immediate availability of transoesophageal echocardiography during the resuscitation of anaphylactic shock. The patient rapidly responded to cessation of the epinephrine (adrenaline) infusion and intravascular volume expansion with intravenous crystalloid. The absence of risk factors for developing SAM/LVOTO serve as a warning to clinicians to consider this diagnosis in all cases of epinephrine non-responsive anaphylactic shock.