Paediatric anaesthesia
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Oct 2008
Multicenter StudyHydroxyethyl starch 130/0.42/6:1 for perioperative plasma volume replacement in children: preliminary results of a European Prospective Multicenter Observational Postauthorization Safety Study (PASS).
Several clinical studies have shown that hydroxyethyl starch (HES) may be as effective and safe as, but less expensive than, albumin when used for perioperative plasma volume replacement (PVR) in children. The new third generation HES 130/0.42 solution was designed to reduce adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and improve safety while maintaining efficacy. Therefore, the objective of this prospective multicenter observational postauthorization safety study (PASS) was to evaluate the perioperative use of HES 130/0.42 in 1000 children with a particular focus on possible ADRs. ⋯ Moderate doses of HES 130/0.42 help to maintain cardiovascular stability and lead to only moderate changes in hemoglobin concentration and acid-base balance in children. The probability of serious ADRs is lower than 1%. Therefore, HES 130/0.42 for PVR seems to be safe and effective even in neonates and small infants with normal renal function and coagulation.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Oct 2008
Randomized Controlled TrialAlteration of anion gap and strong ion difference caused by hydroxyethyl starch 6% (130/0.42) and gelatin 4% in children.
Synthetic colloid administration is a common practice for preventing perioperative hypovolemia and consecutive circulatory failure in children. This prospective, randomized study was conducted to investigate the effects of two different unbalanced synthetic colloid solutions on acid-base equilibrium in children. ⋯ Moderate intraoperative plasma replacement with unbalanced synthetic colloids HES and GEL leads to a decrease in SID and, in the case of HES, to a significant decrease in the anion gap in children. These alterations may result in a possible misinterpretation when the anion gap and SID are used for differential diagnosis of metabolic disturbances during major pediatric surgery.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Oct 2008
Comparative StudyAn audit of intravenous fluid prescribing and plasma electrolyte monitoring; a comparison with guidelines from the National Patient Safety Agency.
To audit past practice of intravenous (i.v.) fluid prescribing and electrolyte monitoring, prior to the publication of guidelines by the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA, Ref. NPSA/2007/22) in March 2007, highlighting areas of discrepancy, in a specialist children's hospital. ⋯ Our practice of i.v. fluid prescribing and electrolyte monitoring in children, prior to the publication of guidelines by the NPSA in March 2007, did not fully meet the recommended standards.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Oct 2008
Lower cuff pressures improve the seal of pediatric laryngeal mask airways.
Hyperinflation of laryngeal mask airway (LMA) cuffs may be harmful because of the exertion of high pressures on pharyngeal and laryngeal structures. Although cuff manometers may be used to monitor cuff pressure, their use is not routine in many institutions and clinical endpoints are used instead. Furthermore, it is common clinical practice to add air to the cuff in the presence of an air leak to obtain a better seal. ⋯ The use of clinical endpoints to inflate LMA cuffs is not only associated with significant hyperinflation in the majority of patients but also with an increased leakage around the LMA cuff when compared with adjusted LMA cuff pressures. Therefore, cuff manometers should routinely be used not only to avoid unnecessary hyperinflation but also to improve cuff sealing of LMA in children.