Canadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d'anesthésie
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To develop an instrument to measure patients' perceptions of the services provided by anesthesiologists, an important indicator of quality for which little information is available. ⋯ We developed, using rigorous methods, an instrument to measure patients' perceptions of the quality of cardiac anesthesia services. Global mean satisfaction with anesthesia services was moderately high contrary to previous studies where it was high. Finally, the SOPPCAS should allow anesthesiologists to improve the quality of the care they provide.
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Maternal fever is associated with chorioamnionitis and has been linked to labour epidural analgesia (LEA). The purpose of this study was to determine possible associations between LEA and chorioamnionitis, maternal fever, operative delivery rate, and neonatal outcome. ⋯ LEA without chorioamnionitis is not associated with maternal fever (38.0 degrees C), increased operative delivery rates or low Apgar scores.
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To identify preoperative factors associated with high blood losses during liver transplantation for chronic end-stage liver disease. ⋯ Despite our efforts we were unable to identify predictive risk factors of bleeding during OLT even in a homogeneous population. Centres should evaluate their practice individually in an attempt to identify patients at high risk of being transfused.
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Methadone is still regarded as a second line opioid for patients suffering from severe pain, and is rarely used in hospitalized patients. The infrequent use of methadone is probably due to its long plasma half-life that could lead to accumulation and toxicity. In the present study we report that clinically effective analgesic doses of methadone, given either epidurally or orally, can be used safely for prolonged treatment in hospitalized patients. ⋯ Based on its analgesic properties and marked safety profile, we suggest that methadone could be added to the analgesic armamentarium of in-hospital health-care providers. Moreover, methadone could serve as the opioid of first choice in some in-patient populations.