Acta anaesthesiologica Scandinavica
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Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · Oct 2015
Observational StudyBystander first aid in trauma - prevalence and quality: a prospective observational study.
Bystander first aid and basic life support can likely improve victim survival in trauma. In contrast to bystander first aid and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, little is known about the role of bystanders in trauma response. Our aim was to determine how frequently first aid is given to trauma victims by bystanders, the quality of this aid, the professional background of first-aid providers, and whether previous first-aid training affects aid quality. ⋯ A majority of the trauma patients studied received correct pre-hospital first aid, but still there is need for considerable improvement, particularly hypothermia prevention. Previous first-aid training seems to improve the quality of first aid provided. The effect on patient survival needs to be investigated.
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Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · Oct 2015
Randomized Controlled TrialEffects of remifentanil on esophageal motility: a double-blind, randomized, cross-over study in healthy volunteers.
Recent studies have shown that remifentanil increases the risk of aspiration and induces subjective swallowing difficulties. The mechanisms are not completely understood. Here, we investigated whether remifentanil impairs esophageal motility and hypothesized that this is one possible underlying mechanism. Naloxone was used to evaluate whether the effects of remifentanil are mediated through opioid receptors. We also examined subjective swallowing difficulties and the influence of metoclopramide on remifentanil-induced effects. ⋯ Remifentanil induces dysfunction of esophageal motility; this may contribute to the elevated risk of regurgitation and aspiration.
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Fluid absorption is a well-known complication of endoscopic surgeries, such as transurethral prostatic resection and transcervical endometrial resection. Absorption of electrolyte-free fluid in excess of 1 L, which occurs in 5% to 10% of the operations, markedly increases the risk of adverse effects from the cardiovascular and neurological systems. Absorption of isotonic saline, which is used with the new bipolar resection technique, will change the scenario of adverse effects in a yet unknown way. Hyponatremia no longer occurs, but marking the saline with ethanol reveals that fluid absorption occurs just as much as with monopolar prostate resections. ⋯ The difficulty is that the anesthesiologist must be aware of how the alcolmeter is calibrated (for blood or breath) and be able to distinguish between the intravascular and extravascular absorption routes, which give rise to different patterns and levels of breath ethanol concentrations.
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Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · Oct 2015
High PEEP levels are associated with overdistension and tidal recruitment/derecruitment in ARDS patients.
Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) improves gas exchange and respiratory mechanics, and it may decrease tissue injury and inflammation. The mechanisms of this protective effect are not fully elucidated. Our aim was to determine the intrinsic effects of moderate and higher levels of PEEP on tidal recruitment/derecruitment, hyperinflation, and lung mechanics, in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). ⋯ In this series of patients with ARDS of mainly pulmonary origin, application of high levels of PEEP did not decrease tidal recruitment/derecruitment, but instead consistently increased tidal and maximal hyperinflation.
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Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · Oct 2015
Randomized Controlled TrialA randomized clinical trial of the effects of ultra-low-dose naloxone infusion on postoperative opioid requirements and recovery.
Tolerance to remifentanil during sevoflurane anesthesia may increase postoperative analgesic requirements. Low-dose naloxone not only has been shown to block the development of acute opioid tolerance but also to ameliorate undesired opioid-induced side effects. We hypothesized that naloxone prevents the acute opioid tolerance produced by a large dose of remifentanil, and reduces the incidence of opioid-induced side effects. ⋯ Naloxone infusion prevented the acute opioid tolerance, provided a quicker recovery of bowel function, and reduced the length of hospital stay after open colorectal surgery.