Journal of anesthesia
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Journal of anesthesia · Apr 2012
Case ReportsPropofol use for sedation or sedation for propofol use?
A large amount of pharmacological and clinical evidence supports the abuse potential of propofol. Although previous case reports have indicated that recreational use of propofol is primarily by medical professionals, its spread among the general public has recently been highlighted. This is the first case report to show that cravings for propofol can be quite intense in some people, and thus propofol can be wrongfully used by clinicians who are enticed by the promise of monetary gain. Illicit diversion of propofol in hospitals has been confirmed; thus, propofol has been designated as a controlled substance in South Korea as of February 2011.
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Journal of anesthesia · Apr 2012
Clinical TrialChanges of motor evoked potentials during descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic surgery with deep hypothermic circulatory arrest.
Paraplegia is a serious complication of descending and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (dTAAs and TAAAs) surgery. Motor evoked potentials (MEPs) enable monitoring the functional integrity of motor pathways during dTAA and TAAA surgery. Although MEPs are sensitive to temperature changes, there are few human data on changes of MEPs during mild and deep hypothermia. Therefore, we investigated changes of MEPs in deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) in dTAA and TAAA surgery. ⋯ In the cooling phase of DHCA, MEP disappeared at ~16°C in some patients but was still elicited in others. MEP recovered below 25°C in the hand. Recovery of MEP in the leg was, however, extremely variable.
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The caudal epidural space is a popular site for analgesia in pediatrics. High variation in blind needle placement is common during caudal epidurals, increasing the risk of intravascular and intrathecal spread. Knowledge of safe distances and angles for accessing the caudal epidural space in premature infants can improve the safety of caudal epidural blocks. ⋯ Distances and angles for accessing the caudal epidural space in fetuses do not provide all parameters for safe performance of caudal epidural blocks in premature and low birth weight infants because the apex of the sacral hiatus and the termination of the dura show wide variation in location.
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Journal of anesthesia · Apr 2012
Case ReportsSpinal anesthesia for cesarean section in a patient with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy.
Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) is an inflammatory disorder of the peripheral nervous system with progressive or relapsing signs in more than one limb, ending in prolonged periods of disability. There are no guidelines for anesthesia in this uncommon paralyzing disease. This report features a 19-year-old woman with CIDP scheduled for an elective cesarean section who had prolonged recovery of motor function after the administration of spinal anesthesia. Although a partial neural block in both feet persisted for 1 day, we conclude that spinal anesthesia is acceptable for cesarean delivery in CIDP-patients when reasonable precautions have been taken.
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Journal of anesthesia · Apr 2012
Case ReportsAnesthetic management of a pediatric patient with neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a rare disorder which is clinically similar to malignant hyperthermia (MH). It is characterized by hyperthermia, autonomic instability, muscle rigidity, coma, rhabdomyolysis, and acidosis. ⋯ As several similarities exist between NMS and MH, differentiating between them can be a challenge for the clinician. We report anesthetic care during magnetic resonance imaging of the brain of a 14-year-old female with bipolar and schizoaffective disorders and the recent onset of NMS.