Canadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d'anesthésie
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Observational Study
Breath alcohol of anesthesiologists using alcohol hand gel and the "five moments for hand hygiene" in routine practice.
Appropriate hand hygiene reduces hospital-acquired infections. Anesthesiologists work in environments with numerous hand hygiene opportunities (HHOs). In a prospective observational study, we investigated the potential for an anesthesiologist to return a positive alcohol breath test during routine practice when using alcohol hand gel. ⋯ Anesthesia practitioners using alcohol hand gel in a manner that conforms with recommended hand hygiene can test positive for alcohol on a breathalyzer assay. Positive tests probably arose from inhalation of alcohol vapour into the respiratory dead space following gel application. If workplace breath testing for alcohol is implemented, it should be completed more than 15 min after applying alcohol hand gel. Positive results should be verified with a BAC test.
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The aims of this study were to determine the utility of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for identifying spinal canal structures and epidural catheter position and to assess the effect of catheter position on intraoperative hemodynamics and quality of postoperative analgesia. ⋯ Transesophageal echocardiography reliably identified spinal canal structures and the position of epidural catheters in the epidural space in adult patients. Posteriorly located epidural catheters appear to provide better epidural analgesia than laterally situated catheters.
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Observational Study
Early recovery of tricuspid annular isovolumic acceleration after mitral valve surgery - an observational study.
Patients undergoing mitral valve surgery are at risk for right ventricular (RV) dysfunction resulting from increased left atrial pressure and increased pulmonary artery impedance. Measures of longitudinal measures of RV function, such as displacement, are commonly performed but have been shown to be depressed after cardiac surgery despite good patient recovery. The aim of this observational study was to assess the early perioperative time course of longitudinal transthoracic echocardiographic (TTE) markers of RV function in a patient population undergoing mitral valve surgery. ⋯ Persistent, significant depression of longitudinal markers of RV function despite functional improvement (discharge from hospital) make it difficult to assess recovery during the early perioperative period. Isovolumic acceleration, a load-independent measure of contractility, might be a more reliable measure of early recovery in RV function in this patient population.
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The literature on the anesthetic management of parturients with dwarfism is sparse and limited to isolated case reports. Pregnancy complications associated with dwarfism include an increased risk of respiratory compromise, an increased risk of Cesarean delivery, and an unpredictable degree of anesthesia with neuraxial techniques. Therefore, we conducted this retrospective review to evaluate the anesthetic management of parturients with a diagnosis of dwarfism. ⋯ The data collected suggest that females with a diagnosis of dwarfism may have difficult neuraxial placement and potentially require lower dosages of local anesthetic for both spinal and epidural anesthesia to achieve adequate surgical blockade.