Acta anaesthesiologica Scandinavica
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Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · Aug 2002
Case ReportsNeurohistopathologic findings after a neurolytic celiac plexus block with alcohol in patients with pancreatic cancer pain.
Pancreatic cancer has a very poor prognosis resulting in the death of 98% of patients. Pain may be severe and difficult to treat. Management of pain includes chemotherapy, radiotherapy, pharmacologic treatment, and neurolytic celiac plexus block. ⋯ Post-mortem neurohistopathologic examination of the celiac plexus revealed an abnormal celiac architecture with a combination of abnormal neurons with vacuolization and normal looking neuronal structures (ganglionic structures and nerve fibers) embedded in fibrotic hyalinized tissue. Our results show that a neurolytic celiac plexus block with alcohol is capable of partially destroying the celiac plexus. These findings may explain the significant but short-lasting analgesic effect following neurolytic celiac plexus block with alcohol.
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Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · Aug 2002
Prehospital advanced life support provided by specially trained physicians: is there a benefit in terms of life years gained?
The benefit of prehospital advanced life support (ALS) is disputed, as is the prehospital use of specially trained, hospital-based physicians. The purpose of the study was to assess the health benefit from an anesthesiologist-manned prehospital emergency medical service (EMS), and to separate the benefit of the anesthesiologist from that of rapid transport. ⋯ The expert panels found LYG in every 14th patient assisted by this anesthesiologist-manned prehospital EMS. There was no difference in LYG between the helicopter and the rapid response car missions. The role of the anesthesiologist was crucial for health benefits.
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Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · Aug 2002
Interpretation of radial pulse contour during fentanyl/nitrous oxide anesthesia and mechanical ventilation.
Peripheral arterial blood pressure is not a reliable substitute for proximal aortic pressure. Recognition of this phenomenon is important for correct appreciation of cardiac afterload. Our aim was to evaluate the utility of the radial pulse wave to better understand ventriculo-vascular coupling during anesthesia. ⋯ These elderly coronary patients had stiff vasculature (high aortic AI) and considerable pulse wave reflection, which was beneficially delayed by fentanyl. Changes in the radial pulse wave augmentation during mechanical ventilation were mainly a result of cyclic changes in the stroke volume, and were seldom associated with an increased systolic pressure gradient from the aorta to the radial artery.
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Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · Aug 2002
Paramedic helicopter emergency service in rural Finland - do benefits justify the cost?
The benefit of the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) is not well documented. The aim of our study was to investigate the potential health benefits of HEMS, and their relation to cost of the service in a rural area in Finland. We also evaluated whether the patient benefit is due to early Advanced Life Support (ALS) procedures performed on-scene, or due to rapid transport of patients to definitive care. ⋯ A minority of all patients did benefit from HEMS. Benefit was related to early ALS care and the cost per beneficial mission was 28 444.
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Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · Aug 2002
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialPostoperative pain relief following intrathecal bupivacaine combined with intrathecal or oral clonidine.
The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the postoperative analgesic and adverse effects of equal doses of oral or intrathecal clonidine in spinal anaesthesia with bupivacaine plain. ⋯ Addition of intrathecal clonidine prolonged analgesia and decreased morphine consumption postoperatively more than oral clonidine. Hypotension was more pronounced after oral than after intrathecal clonidine. Intrathecal clonidine is therefore recommended.