Acta anaesthesiologica Scandinavica
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Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · Jul 1998
Incidence of venous and paradoxical air embolism in neurosurgical patients in the sitting position: detection by transesophageal echocardiography.
Venous air embolism (VAE) and paradoxical air embolism (PAE) are serious complications associated with the sitting position for neurosurgery. Although PAE is the result of VAE, the incidence of PAE according to the severity of VAE has not been investigated systematically in humans. ⋯ VAE detected by TEE appeared in all patients undergoing neurosurgery in the sitting position and PAE only occurred following the most severe grade of VAE. To prevent growth of VAE is an important prophylactic for PAE.
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Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · Jul 1998
Comparative StudyEffects of desflurane and propofol on arterial oxygenation during one-lung ventilation in the pig.
Desflurane depresses hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) in vitro. During one-lung ventilation (OLV), HPV may reduce venous admixture and ameliorate the decrease in arterial O2 tension by diverting blood from the non-ventilated to the ventilated lung. Accordingly, this study compares the effects of desflurane with those of propofol on oxygenation during two-lung (TLV) and OLV in vivo. ⋯ Consistent with in vitro results on HPV, 1 MAC desflurane impaired in vivo oxygenation during OLV more than did propofol.
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Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · Jul 1998
Case ReportsSystemic air embolism as a possible cause of cardiac arrest during endoscopic treatment of pulmonary haemangioma using a diode laser.
Air embolism is a known but rare complication to endoscopic laser surgery. A case of nearly lethal air emboli as a complication to endoscopic laser surgery using a diode laser in the lungs is described. The case illustrates that even after prolonged resuscitation a successful outcome can be obtained.
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It has been reported that large amounts of nitric oxide (NO) are released in patients with sepsis. NO is converted to methemoglobin and nitrate. This study was designed to determine whether blood methemoglobin levels were increased in patients with sepsis or septic shock. ⋯ Blood methemoglobin concentration may be useful as a marker of the onset of sepsis or septic shock.
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Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · Jul 1998
Intrathecal administration of sameridine to patients subjected to arthroscopic knee joint surgery.
Sameridine, a new substance with both local anesthetic and opioid effects, was administered intrathecally for the first time to humans, i.e. in patients subjected to arthroscopic knee joint surgery. ⋯ Sameridine provided clinically adequate anesthesia for the patients receiving the doses of 15, 20 and 25 mg. Further studies are needed to evaluate the substance and it is of great interest to clinically investigate the opioid component with respect to postoperative analgesia.