Anaesthesia
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Tracheal intubating conditions using propofol and remifentanil target-controlled infusions.
Using target-controlled infusions (TCI) we aimed to determine the most appropriate dose of remifentanil required for intubation, using a steady effect-site concentration of propofol and without the use of neuromuscular blocking drugs. Sixty ASA III patients presenting for elective surgery were randomly allocated to one of three groups. Anaesthesia was induced in all patients using a target-controlled infusion of propofol 6.5 microg x ml(-1). ⋯ Pulse oximetry, heart rate and noninvasive arterial pressure were measured pre-induction, and at intervals until after laryngoscopy and intubation. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate decreased following induction of anaesthesia in all groups, which was statistically significant. Following laryngoscopy, MAP and heart rate increased, but were significantly less than the corresponding baseline values.
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A patient in a permanent vegetative state required general anaesthesia for dental surgery. Because of the uncertainties involved in the appropriate monitoring and assessment of the conscious level of patients in a permanent vegetative state, it was decided to use the bispectral index to help guide the anaesthetic depth during surgery. We found that the bispectral index profile during anaesthesia and surgery was similar to that of a normal subject. The findings raise the possibility that patients in permanent vegetative states might sense noxious stimuli at a cortical level.