Journal of anesthesia
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To determine whether there is any systemic relationship between the distance from the skin to the epidural space and physical constitution, the distance from the skin to the epidural space was measured in 1007 epidural punctures. The distance from the skin to the epidural space in male was greater than that in female ( P < 0.001). However, the analysis of the distance from the skin to the epidural space of the selected patients who had both a weight of 50-60 kg and a height of 1.5-1.7 m indicated no statistical difference between male and female. ⋯ The correlation between the distance from the skin to the epidural space and height was less striking. Ninety-five percent of the patients who received epidural puncture at the thoraco-cervical area (C7-T2) had a distance to the epidural space of 4.0-6.9 cm; 87% at the lower-thoracic area (T8-T10), 4.0-6.9 cm; 93% at the thoraco-lumbar area (T12-L2), 3.0-4.9 cm; 85% at the mid-lumbar area (L2-L4), 3.0-4.9 cm. These results may be useful for young anesthesiologists to master epidural block safely and efficiently.
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Journal of anesthesia · Sep 1988
Effects of halothane and calcium entry blockers on atrioventricular conduction-a comparative study of verapamil, diltiazem, and nifedipine.
The effects of halothane on AV nodal function were evaluated in dogs with verapamil, diltiazem, or nifedipine during atrial pacing using the technique of His-bundle electrocardiography. Fifty-one mongrel dogs were divided into six groups. Anesthesia was induced with ketamine 100 mg im. and thiamylal 25 mg/kg iv. ⋯ There were more prolongations of these variables after iv administration of verapamil (SCL; 617 +/- 35, AH; 118 +/- 7, FRP of the AV node; 311 +/- 4) and diltiazem (SCL; 554 +/- 19, AH; 118 +/- 12, FRP of the AV node; 283 +/- 12) but no prolongations after nifedipine (SCL; 533 +/- 19, AH; 99 +/- 8, FRP of the AV node; 272 +/- 9). Comparing effects of calcium entry blockers with and without halothane in groups I and II, III and IV, or V and VI, there were additive depressing effects of halothane with either verapamil or diltiazem on AV nodal function. And there is a difference between the effects of nifedipine on SCL with and without halothane.
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Journal of anesthesia · Mar 1988
The effect of verapamil on halothane-epinephrine or digitalis-induced ventricular dysrhythmias in dogs.
The effect of verapamil on ventricular dysrhythmias was evaluated using two canine models. In one model, ventricular dysrhythmias were induced by 1% halothane-epinephrine (1.5 approximately 30 micro g/kg/min.) in 20 dogs (Group I). In the other model, ventricular dysrhythmias were induced by digoxin (0.1 approximately 0.2 mg/kg) in 27 dogs (Group II). ⋯ Lidocaine was ineffective in the remaining 4 of group I, whereas effective in the remaining 17, including those given lidocaine alone of group II. From these findings, it was inferred that Ca(2+) dependent abnormal automaticity and/or re-entry may be more closely related to the genesis of halothane-epinephrine-induced ventricular dysrhythmias refractory to lidocaine, whereas triggered activity may be more closely related to that of digitalis-induced ventricular dysrhythmias. In conclusion, verapamil was more effective against halothane-epinephrine-induced ventricular dysrhythmias than against digitalis-induced ventricular dysrhythmias.
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The relationship between the age and the spread of analgesia from different epidural anesthetic doses was examined by studying analgesic dose responses in cervical epidural analgesia. Two different anesthetic doses (5 ml or 10 ml) of 2% mepivacaine were injected into the cervical epidural space at a constant pressure (80 mmHg) using an intravenous apparatus, and the spread of analgesia to pinprick was assessed. The significant correlation was found between the patient's age and the number of spinal segments blocked (5 ml : r = 0.8498, P < 0.01, 10 ml : r = 0.5988, P < 0.01). ⋯ The analgesic dose-response relation in patients over 60 years of age differed from that in patients under 39 years of age and doubling the epidural dose did not double the number of spinal segments blocked. Progressively more extensive analgesia was obtained from a given dose of local anesthetic with advancing age. It was difficult to limit the extent of analgesia by injecting a smaller dose of local anaesthetic in the elderly.
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Journal of anesthesia · Sep 1987
Epidural pressure and its relation to spread of epidural analgesia.
The relationships between the epidural pressures following the injection of local anesthetic solution and the spread of epidural analgesia were investigated. In 46 patients, 15 ml of 2% mepivacaine was injected into the lumbar epidural space at a constant rate (1 ml/sec) using an electropowered syringe pump. Injection pressures and residual pressures were recorded and the spread of analgesia to pinprick was assessed. ⋯ The spread of analgesia closely correlated with the epidural pressures during and following the injection of local anesthetic solution. The most close correlation was found between the epidural pressure immediately after the completion of injection and the spread of analgesia (r = -0.5659, P < 0.001). In conclusion, the lower the terminal injection pressure and the residual pressures associated with higher age, the wider the spread of epidural analgesia.