Acta anaesthesiologica Scandinavica
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Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · Feb 1989
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialEffects of epidural bupivacaine and epidural morphine on bowel function and pain after hysterectomy.
A comparison was made of the effects of continuous epidural analgesia with bupivacaine and intermittent epidural morphine on bowel function after abdominal hysterectomy. The duration of postoperative ileus was assessed as the time from the end of operation to the first postoperative passage of flatus and feces. Twenty-two patients were randomly allocated to two equal groups. ⋯ The time to first postoperative passage of feces was shorter (P less than 0.05) in the former than in the latter 57 +/- 44 h vs 92 +/- 22 h). The patients of the epidural bupivacaine group started intake of oral fluids earlier (P less than 0.01) and to a greater extent (P less than 0.05) than those in the epidural morphine group. It is concluded that the duration of postoperative ileus after hysterectomy is shorter when epidural bupivacaine is given for postoperative pain relief than when this is achieved by epidural morphine.
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Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · Feb 1989
Comparative StudyCardiotoxicity of ropivacaine--a new amide local anaesthetic agent.
Anaesthetically equipotent doses of lidocaine, bupivacaine and a new bupivacaine-like local anaesthetic agent, ropivacaine, were injected into the left anterior descending coronary artery of pentobarbital-anaesthetized pigs. The aim was to study the cardiotoxicity of ropivacaine in relation to the two other drugs. A random, crossover, dose response study design was used. ⋯ Comparable prolongation of the QRS-interval was recorded after 2 mg of bupivacaine, 4.5 mg of ropivacaine and 30 mg of lidocaine. Thus, the electrophysiological toxicity ratio was 15:6.7:1 (B:R:L). Provided local anaesthetic potency data can be extrapolated from the isolated nerve preparation to regional anaesthesia in humans, ropivacaine appears to provide a greater margin of safety than bupivacaine, if inadvertently injected into the venous circulation.
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Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · Jan 1989
Right ventricular dysfunction in septic shock: assessment by measurements of right ventricular ejection fraction using the thermodilution technique.
Right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) was measured by the thermodilution technique in a series of 127 consecutive critically ill patients monitored with a modified pulmonary artery (PA) catheter equipped with a fast response thermistor. Thermodilution RVEF was significantly lower in septic shock (23.8 +/- 8.2%, 93 measurements) than in sepsis without shock (30.3 +/- 10.1%, 118 measurements) or in the absence of sepsis or cardiopulmonary impairment (32.5 +/- 7.1%, 62 measurements). ⋯ Initial RVEF in septic shock was 27.8 +/- 8.6% in 11 patients who survived but only 20.9 +/- 6.7% (P less than 0.02) in the 23 patients who eventually died. Thus, RV dysfunction is common during septic shock, is directly related to its severity, and can easily be recognized in patients monitored with a PA catheter.
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Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · Jan 1989
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialChest wall rigidity during fentanyl- and midazolam-fentanyl induction: ventilatory and haemodynamic effects.
In a double-blind randomised study, we examined if pretreatment with small doses of midazolam, given before anaesthesia induction with fentanyl, influences the occurrence of fentanyl-induced thoracic rigidity (FITR). At the same time, the effect of rigidity on the cardiovascular and respiratory system was assessed. Sixteen patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery were divided into two groups. ⋯ The incidence of FITR was high in both groups: 63% in Group M and 75% in Group P (n.s.); however, its severity was less in Group M. The appearance of rigidity affected the cardiovascular and the respiratory system: central venous and pulmonary capillary wedge pressures showed a sharp increase in patients with FITR accompanied by CO2 retention, due to an inability to ventilate these patients adequately. We conclude that small doses of midazolam do not prevent, but may attenuate, FITR and that the appearance of rigidity causes alterations of haemodynamic and respiratory variables during induction.
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Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · Jan 1989
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialThe effect of continuous intravenous indomethacin infusion on bleeding time and postoperative pain in patients undergoing emergency surgery of the lower extremities.
Fifty-four orthopaedic patients were given either indomethacin (25-50 mg bolus plus infusion, 5-7.5 mg h-1) or only lactated Ringer solution intravenously over 20 h in a randomized and double-blind fashion. The study was started at the casualty department as soon as possible after the decision to operate was made. The patients were given a spinal block with bupivacaine, and the evaluation included postoperative analgesia and IVY bleeding times. ⋯ The mean IVY bleeding time was prolonged in the indomethacin group after 20 h of infusion (P less than 0.05). No abnormal bleeding was observed immediately postoperatively. However, at the end of the infusion there were more patients who bled through their bandages and casts in the indomethacin group (4/28 vs. 1/26).