Paediatric anaesthesia
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Mar 2022
Observational StudyValidation of a new combined transcutaneous tcPCO2 and tcPO2 sensor in children in the operating theater.
Arterial blood gas analysis is the gold standard for monitoring of Pa CO2 and PaO2 during mechanical ventilation. However, continuous measurements would be preferred. Transcutaneous sensors continuously measure blood gases diffusing from the locally heated skin. These sensors have been validated in children mostly in intensive care settings. Accuracy in children during general anesthesia is largely unknown. ⋯ This study showed good agreement between Pa CO2 and tcPCO2 in children of all ages during general anesthesia. Both transcutaneous and endtidal CO2 measurements showed good accuracy. TcPO2 is only accurate under 6 months of age.
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Plasma drug concentration is the variable linking dose to effect. The decrement time required for plasma concentration of anesthetic agents to decrease by 50% (context-sensitive half-time) correlates with the time taken to regain consciousness. However, the decrement time to consciousness may not be 50%. ⋯ Use of a higher target concentration of 6 µg.ml-1 doubled decrement times. Decrement times are associated with variability: delayed recovery beyond these simulated times is likely more attributable to the use of adjuvant drugs or the child's clinical status. An understanding of propofol decrement times can be used to guide recovery after anesthesia.