Canadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d'anesthésie
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Intravascular fluids are a necessary and universal component of cardiac surgical patient care. Both crystalloids and colloids are used to maintain or restore circulating plasma volume and ensure adequate organ perfusion. In Canada, human albumin solution (5% or 25% concentration) is a colloid commonly used for this purpose. In this narrative review, we discuss albumin supply in Canada, explore the perceived advantages of albumin, and describe the clinical literature supporting and refuting albumin use over other fluids in the adult cardiac surgical population. ⋯ In cardiac surgical patients, albumin is widely utilized despite a lack of high- quality evidence supporting its efficacy or safety. A well-designed randomized controlled trial is needed to clarify the role of albumin in cardiac surgical patients.
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The costoclavicular block is a relatively novel alternative to the infraclavicular block. We aimed to determine the anatomical structures vulnerable to needle injury during a costoclavicular block. ⋯ We found that the needle path may be close to the medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve, medial brachial cutaneous nerve, and pectoral nerves but did not traverse any critical structures aside from the lateral cord. This suggests relative safety when compared with other approaches to the infraclavicular brachial plexus. Structures dans la trajectoire de l'aiguille du bloc de plexus brachial costoclaviculaire : une étude cadavérique.