Canadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d'anesthésie
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Comparative Study
The effect of virtual endoscopy on diagnostic accuracy and airway management strategies in patients with head and neck pathology: a prospective cohort study.
There is growing evidence to suggest a deficiency in anesthesiologists' diagnosis of airway pathology and subsequent airway management planning, and conventional instruments have not shown increases in safety. Virtual endoscopy (VE) is a tool that can detail intraluminal anatomical "fly-through" information in a format visually similar to the flexible endoscopic views familiar to anesthesiologists. We aimed to determine the effect of VE on diagnostic accuracy and airway management strategies when compared with conventional tools. ⋯ Virtual endoscopy improves the accuracy in diagnosis of airway pathology when compared with CT alone. Furthermore, it leads to more conservative and potentially safer airway management strategies in patients with head and neck pathology.
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Comparative Study
Agreement between venous and arterial blood gas analysis of acid-base status in critical care and ward patients: a retrospective cohort study.
To determine whether the use of venous blood gases can be a suitable alternative to arterial sampling to evaluate acid-base status. ⋯ Venous gases are suitable for initial evaluation of acid-base status in critically ill patients. Based on clinical evaluation, an arterial sample may then be considered for confirmation, and thereafter, venous blood gases could be sufficient for monitoring response to treatment.
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Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) induces a significant inflammatory response that may increase the risk for delirium. We hypothesized that exposure to CPB during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery would correlate with an increased risk of delirium. ⋯ The use and duration of cardiopulmonary bypass were associated with an increased risk of delirium in patients undergoing CABG surgery.
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Increased distal skin temperature can be used to predict the success of lateral infraclavicular (LIC) block. We hypothesized that an "eyeball test" of specific infrared thermographic patterns after LIC block could be used to determine block success. ⋯ We conclude that visual evaluation by an eyeball test of specific thermographic patterns of the blocked hands may be useful as a valid and reliable diagnostic test for predicting a successful LIC block.