Anaesthesia
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Comparison of tolerance of facemask vs. mouthpiece for non-invasive ventilation.
This prospective, single centre, randomised, cross-over study compares patient tolerance of the facemask and mouthpiece for delivery of non-invasive ventilation in an intensive care unit. Twenty-seven patients with acute respiratory failure were scheduled for two 45-min sessions of non-invasive ventilation with facemask and mouthpiece. The order of the sessions was chosen at random. ⋯ Non-invasive ventilation with both facemask and mouthpiece improved the P(a)o(2)/F(i)o(2) ratio, increased the pH and decreased the P(a)co(2). Only non-invasive ventilation with the facemask lowered the respiratory rate. The facemask appears to be a better initial choice for non-invasive ventilation when compared to mouthpiece, but both can be effective.
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The prevalence of obesity continues to increase despite preventive strategies. Obese parturients are at increased risk of having either concurrent medical problems or superimposed antenatal diseases such as pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes. Moreover, they have a tendency to labour abnormally contributing to increased instrumental delivery and Caesarean section. ⋯ The mother's life should not be jeopardised to save a compromised fetus. Prophylactic placement of an epidural catheter when not contraindicated in labouring morbidly obese women would potentially decrease anaesthetic and perinatal complications associated with attempts at emergency provision of regional or general anaesthesia. Early mobilisation, aggressive chest physiotherapy and adequate pain control are essential components of effective postoperative care.
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It is widely recommended that beta-blockade be used peri-operatively as it may reduce the incidence of postoperative cardiovascular complications including death. However, there are few data concerning the cost-effectiveness of such strategies. We have analysed the pharmacoeconomics of acute beta-blockade using data from eight prospective peri-operative studies in which patients underwent elective non-cardiac surgery, and in which the incidence of adverse side-effects of treatment, as well as clinical outcomes, have been reported. ⋯ The incremental cost of peri-operative beta-blockade (costs of drug acquisition and of treating associated adverse drug events) was 67.80 pounds sterling per patient. This results in a total cost of 1254.30 pounds sterling per peri-operative cardiovascular complication prevented. However, there is evidence that in patients at lower cardiovascular risk, beta-blockers may be potentially harmful, since their adverse effects (hypotension, bradycardia) may outweigh their potential cardioprotective effects.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
A randomised double-blind controlled study evaluating the hypothermic effect of 150 microg morphine during spinal anaesthesia for Caesarean section.
We studied the hypothermic effect of adding 150 microg morphine during spinal anaesthesia in 60 parturients scheduled for elective caesarean section. All the parturients received intrathecal injection of a solution containing 150 mug morphine or normal saline in addition to 10-12 mg hyperbaric bupivacaine 0.5%. ⋯ The lowest temperature observed in the morphine group was 34.3 degrees C. We conclude that intrathecal injection of 150 microg morphine intensified the intra-operative hypothermic effect of bupivacaine spinal anaesthesia for caesarean section.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Anchoring of the internal jugular vein with a pilot needle to facilitate its puncture with a wide bore needle: a randomised, prospective, clinical study.
In this prospective, randomised study, consented adult patients of both genders were divided into two groups. In group 1 (n = 79) patients, during internal jugular vein cannulation, the pilot needle was removed before the wide bore needle (18G) puncture. In group 2 (n = 78) patients, the internal jugular vein was anchored by leaving the pilot needle in place during wide bore needle puncture. ⋯ Internal jugular vein puncture was more frequently detected at the entry of the needle with anchoring (group 2: 78%) than without (group 1: 53%); p < 0.05. Ultrasonography of a further 30 internal jugular vein punctures in each group demonstrated that the anchoring manoeuvre (group 2b) significantly (p < 0.05) prevented an indenting effect of the puncture needle, with a higher vertical to horizontal diameter ratio of the internal jugular vein when there was anchoring (0.97; SD 0.004) than without pilot needle anchoring (0.65; SD 0.008). In conclusion, when using surface landmarks, anchoring of the internal jugular vein with the pilot needle facilitated its puncture.