Acta anaesthesiologica Scandinavica
-
Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · Apr 2014
Review Meta AnalysisLong- or short-acting opioids for chronic non-malignant pain? A qualitative systematic review.
In selected patients with chronic non-malignant pain, chronic opioid therapy is indicated. Published guidelines recommend long-acting over short-acting opioids in these patients. The aim of this systematic review was to investigate whether long-acting opioids in chronic non-malignant pain are superior to short-acting opioids in pain relief, physical function, sleep quality, quality of life or adverse events. ⋯ Three trials in healthy volunteers with a recreational drug use, found no difference in abuse potential between long- and short-acting opioids. While long term, comparative data are lacking, there is fair evidence from short-term trials that long-acting opioids provide equal pain relief compared with short-acting opioids. Contrary to several guidelines, there is no evidence supporting long-acting opioids superiority to short-acting ones in improving functional outcomes, reducing side effects or addiction.
-
Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · Apr 2014
Cardiac arrest teams and medical emergency teams in Finland: a nationwide cross-sectional postal survey.
The implementation, characteristics and utilisation of cardiac arrest teams (CATs) and medical emergency teams (METs) in Finland are unknown. We aimed to evaluate how guidelines on advanced in-hospital resuscitation have been translated to practice. ⋯ Current guidelines emphasise the preventative actions on in-hospital cardiac arrest. Practices are changing accordingly but are still suboptimal especially in central and district hospitals. Unified guidelines on rapid response systems are required.
-
Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · Apr 2014
ReviewEtomidate - a review of robust evidence for its use in various clinical scenarios.
Etomidate is an intravenous hypnotic with a favourable clinical profile in haemodynamic high-risk scenarios. Currently, there is an active debate about the clinical significance of the drug's side effects and its overall risk-benefit ratio. ⋯ In surgical patients at risk of hypotensive complications, however, a review of current literature provides no robust evidence to contraindicate a single-bolus etomidate induction. Large randomised controlled trials as well as additional observational data are required to compare safety of etomidate and its alternatives.
-
Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · Apr 2014
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyUltrasonography-guided radial artery catheterization is superior compared with the traditional palpation technique: A prospective, randomized, blinded, crossover study.
Radial artery catheterization is gaining popularity for diagnostic and interventional procedures. Palpation technique is widely used for the procedure, but ultrasonography has been shown to increase catheterization success. A recently described ultrasonography technique is termed 'dynamic needle tip positioning'. We aimed to compare the traditional palpation technique and dynamic needle tip positioning technique in regard to clinically relevant end points. ⋯ Ultrasonography guidance using the dynamic needle tip positioning technique for radial artery catheterization significantly improves clinically relevant aspects of the procedure.