Journal of clinical anesthesia
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Comparative Study
Which is the safest endotracheal tube for use with the CO2 laser? A comparative study.
To compare the efficacy of special endotracheal tubes manufactured for carbon dioxide (CO2) laser surgery with foil-wrapped and plain red rubber (RR) endotracheal tubes. ⋯ Copper foil-wrapped RR tubes, aluminum foil-wrapped RR tubes, or stainless steel tubes are recommended for laser airway surgery.
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To assess the policy and practice of anesthesiology departments in regard to their management of the presurgical do-not-resuscitate (DNR) patient. ⋯ The need for a written policy for the DNR patient undergoing surgery is exemplified by the low percentage of institutions that have existing policies.
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A 69-year-old male with severe coronary artery disease, ankylosing spondylitis, and severe major depression was scheduled for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). The patient had previously failed or proved intolerant of antidepressant drug therapy. The nature and severity of the patient's diseases and complexity of potential interactions with ECT and anesthesia required sequential assessment of hemodynamic and airway tolerances with successive treatments. Despite substantial risks for particular patients, ECT may provide the only treatment option for life-threatening psychiatric illness and warrants innovative approaches to anesthetic management.