Anaesthesia
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effect-site concentration of propofol for reduction of remifentanil-induced cough.
This study examined the effectiveness of different propofol infusion target concentrations on cough suppression, during a target-controlled remifentanil infusion. Four hundred patients were randomly assigned to receive propofol target effect-site concentrations of 0, 3.0, 4.5, or 6.0 microgxml(-1). When the propofol effect-site concentration reached the target, remifentanil was administered at a target effect-site concentration of 4.0 ngxml(-1). ⋯ The overall incidence of cough was significantly decreased in by propofol 6.0 microgxml(-1) compared with 0 or 3.0 microgxml(-1) propofol (p < 0.001). The incidence of severe cough was significantly lower with propofol 6.0 microgxml(-1) compared with 3.0 microgxml(-1) (p = 0.03). A propofol target effect-site concentration of 6.0 microgxml(-1) effectively suppressed remifentanil-induced cough when remifentanil was administrated at a target effect-site concentration of 4.0 ngxml(-1).
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It is generally believed that plaque rupture and myocardial oxygen supply-demand imbalance contribute approximately equally to the burden of peri-operative myocardial infarction. This review critically analyses data of post-mortem, pre-operative coronary angiography, troponin surveillance, other pre-operative non-invasive investigations, and peri-operative haemodynamic predictors of myocardial ischaemia and/or myocardial infarction. ⋯ Research and therapeutic interventions should be focused on the prediction and therapy of flow stagnation and thrombus formation. Plaque rupture appears to be a more random event, distributed over the entire peri-operative admission.
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Comparative Study
The value of pulse pressure and stroke volume variation as predictors of fluid responsiveness during open chest surgery.
We investigated the ability of pulse pressure variation and stroke volume variation to predict fluid responsiveness during mechanical ventilation in patients undergoing open chest surgery by comparing their respective correlations with cardiac output changes induced by leg elevation. Serial leg elevation manoeuvres were performed before and after sternotomy in 15 patients scheduled for elective off-pump coronary bypass surgery. ⋯ These correlations were lost for both parameters following sternotomy. Our data show that pulse pressure variation and stroke volume variation are valid predictors of fluid responsiveness under closed chest conditions but that this property no longer holds when the chest is open.
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Case Reports
Rapid sequence spinal anaesthesia for category-1 urgency caesarean section: a case series.
General anaesthesia is the fastest method for anaesthetising a category-1 caesarean section but is associated with increased maternal morbidity and mortality. We describe the 'rapid sequence spinal' to minimise anaesthetic time. This consists of a no-touch spinal technique, consideration of omission of the spinal opioid, limiting spinal attempts, allowing the start of surgery before full establishment of the spinal block, and being prepared for conversion to general anaesthesia if there are delays or problems. ⋯ Our data indicate that one might expect to establish anaesthesia in 6-8 min using a rapid sequence spinal. Careful case selection is crucial. While rapid anaesthesia is important, the reduction of the decision-delivery interval also requires attention to other stages in the pre-operative process.
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Letter Case Reports
One-lobe ventilation during contralateral lung resection.