Anaesthesia and intensive care
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Sep 2014
Sodium concentration in urine greater than in the plasma: possible biomarker of normal renal function and better outcome in critically ill patients.
Correct interpretation of the urinary sodium concentration (NaU) and its relation to renal function in critically ill patients is lacking. Our aim was to evaluate the relationship between simultaneous NaU value and serum creatinine (sCr). The hypothesis is that a NaU value greater than 140 mmol/l (normal equivalent value in plasma) is only found in patients with normal sCr. ⋯ NaU greater than normal plasma sodium is a possible biomarker of normal/improving renal function and also of better outcome. Sole NaU values below 140 mmol/l are difficult to interpret but it is possible that very low NaU values may signify some threat to normal kidney function and worse prognosis even in the presence of normal sCr. Our way to interpret NaU values in critically ill patients needs further careful evaluation.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Sep 2014
Difficult airway equipment: a survey of standards across metropolitan Perth.
The importance of appropriate equipment to manage the difficult airway has been highlighted by the publication of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) guidelines in 2012. We set out to audit compliance with these guidelines in all public and private sites providing general anaesthesia in metropolitan Perth. Public and private health care websites identified 39 sites of which 37 were studied. ⋯ Capnography was available in 76% of post anaesthesia care units and used regularly in 27%. Adherence to the ANZCA guidelines regarding the DDAC could be improved. Standardised equipment across a metropolitan region would be of value in the management of the difficult airway.