Canadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d'anesthésie
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Observational Study
The utility of transthoracic echocardiography to confirm central line placement: An observational study.
Ultrasound visualization of neck vessels is the standard method used to assist with internal jugular vein (IJV) central line placement. Nevertheless, this practice has not eliminated the risk of carotid puncture and/or inadvertent arterial cannulation. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) effectively verifies wire placement within the heart but is invasive and not always available. We examined the feasibility and potential utility of using transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) to verify the distal wire in the right atrium (RA) before dilation and cannulation of the IJV. ⋯ Transthoracic echocardiography [corrected] is a feasible, noninvasive, and potentially useful method to confirm appropriate placement of the guidewire before dilation and cannulation of the IJV.
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Comment
From the Journal archives: Be alert to the risk of unexpected prolonged postoperative hypoxemia!
In 1978, Drs. R Knill and A. Gelb published the results of a study to measure the effect of subanesthetic levels of halothane on the ability of fit volunteers to respond to sustained hypoxia, and to determine how long potentially hazardous levels of halothane persist after a brief non-complex surgical procedure in healthy patients. The purpose of this commentary is to highlight the historical context of their findings and the impact of their work on our modern day practice of anesthesia. ⋯ Subanaesthetic halothane: Its effect on regulation of ventilation and relevance to the recovery room. Can Anaesth Soc J 1978; 25: 488-94.
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Douglas B. Craig, W.M. Wahba, Hillary Don ⋯ The work of Drs. D. Craig et al. published in the Journal more than 40 years ago was seminal to our understanding of how patient positioning has an important influence on lung volumes and on the age-related relationship between FRC and CV.