Acta anaesthesiologica Scandinavica
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Predicting major post-operative complications is an important task for which simple and reliable methods are lacking. A simple scoring system based on intraoperative heart rate, blood pressure and blood loss was recently developed to fill this gap. This system, the Surgical Apgar Score, shows promising results both in terms of validity and in terms of usefulness. The goal of this study was to study both these components in a Scandinavian setting. ⋯ The Surgical Apgar Score is valid in a Scandinavian setting. We also note that there were no practical issues in collecting the score. Together with patient pre-operative risk, the score has great potential to guide clinicians when making post-operative decisions and give immediate feedback about the surgical procedure. The next step should be to educate surgical staff about the score.
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Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · May 2011
Multicenter StudySerum zinc in critically ill adult patients with acute respiratory failure.
Zinc deficiency leads to susceptibility to infections and may affect pulmonary epithelial cell integrity. Low zinc levels have also been associated with a degree of organ failure and decreased survival in critically ill children. Accordingly, the purpose of the study was to assess serum zinc in adult patients with acute respiratory failure, its association with ventilatory support time, intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS), organ dysfunction and 30-day mortality. ⋯ Serum zinc on initiation of ventilation had no predictive value for 30-day mortality, ventilatory support time or intensive care unit LOS.
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Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · May 2011
Cytokine response and reactive oxygen species production after low- and intermediate-risk surgery.
Cytokines are secreted locally in response to surgery and may be released into the systemic circulation. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production is involved in various inflammatory conditions. The aims of the study were to examine the magnitude of surgical stress on the modulation of immune response and ROS production. ⋯ Cytokine release in the systemic circulation was not well correlated to the magnitude of surgical stress, whereas transient immune hyporesponsiveness was seen after moderately stressful surgery. ROS production might be a more accurate indicator of the severity of surgical trauma.
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Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · May 2011
The effects of intraoperative infusion of dexmedetomidine on early renal function after percutaneous nephrolithotomy.
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) may interfere with renal function because of continuous fluid irrigation and compression. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of an intraoperative infusion of dexmedetomidine on renal function in patients undergoing PCNL. ⋯ In PCNL, an intraoperative infusion of dexmedetomidine was not found to have beneficial effects on CrCl, NGAL or cystatin C levels early after the procedure; however, it reduced renin levels.
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Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · May 2011
Risk factors of post-operative urinary retention in hospitalised patients.
Post-operative urinary retention (POUR) is most accurately determined by using ultrasound to measure bladder volume. The aim of this study was to define the risk factors of POUR in the recovery room in hospitalised patients. ⋯ The detected incidence of POUR at arrival in the recovery room was rather high but had easily identifiable risk factors. We recommend pre-operative voiding whenever possible. Routine bladder scanning at arrival in the recovery room should be considered, especially after spinal anaesthesia, emergency surgery or when the anaesthesia time exceeds 2 h.