Canadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d'anesthésie
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Since 10 to 20% of adult patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) in Canada die, addressing the needs of dying critically ill patients is of paramount importance. The purpose of this article is to suggest some strategies to consider to improve the care of patients dying in the ICU. ⋯ Adoption of some of these strategies we describe may lead to improved end-of-life care in the ICU. Future studies should include more formal evaluation of the efficacy of end-of-life interventions to help us ensure high quality, clinically relevant, culturally adapted care for all dying critically ill patients.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
3.5% urea-linked gelatin is as effective as 6% HES 200/0.5 for volume management in cardiac surgery patients.
To compare the efficacy of volume expansion with 3.5% gelatin and 6% hydroxyethyl starch 200/0.5 in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. The second objective was to compare the two colloids in terms of blood losses and allogeneic blood transfusion exposure rate. ⋯ In the conditions of the present study, HES was not associated with a better plasma expansion effect than GEL. HES could result in a higher need for allogeneic blood transfusion.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
The incidence of gastroesophageal reflux and tracheal aspiration detected with pH electrodes is similar with the Laryngeal Mask Airway and Esophageal Tracheal Combitube--a pilot study.
Aspiration as a result of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and regurgitation remains a serious potential problem in anesthetized patients. The incidence of GER with either the Esophageal Tracheal Combitube (ETC) or the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) was investigated using tracheal and esophageal pH electrodes. ⋯ In this pilot study, the ETC appears comparable to the LMA regarding the incidence of GER and tracheal acid aspiration.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Controlled-release codeine is equivalent to acetaminophen plus codeine for post-cholecystectomy analgesia.
Following ambulatory surgery, long-acting analgesics may provide advantages over short-acting analgesics. This study compared controlled-release codeine (CC) and acetaminophen plus codeine (A/C; 300 mg/30 mg) for pain control in the 48-hr period following laparoscopic cholecystectomy. ⋯ Controlled-release codeine provides an equivalent onset of analgesia, reduction in postoperative pain, and level of patient satisfaction, to acetaminophen plus codeine, over 48 hr following cholecystectomy, with the advantage of less frequent dosing.
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Comparative Study
A difficult airway is not more prevalent in patients suffering from spasmodic torticollis: a case series.
We designed this retrospective study to assess the frequency of difficult airway and difficult intubation in patients with spasmodic torticollis and compare it to that of the general population. ⋯ This study assesses the frequency of difficult intubation in patients suffering from spasmodic torticollis. When compared to the general population, these patients do not appear to have a higher frequency of difficult airway or difficult intubation.