Anaesthesia
-
Prophylactic intra-operative administration of dexamethasone may improve short-term clinical outcomes in cardiac surgical patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate long-term clinical outcomes and cost effectiveness of dexamethasone versus placebo. Patients included in the multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled DExamethasone for Cardiac Surgery (DECS) trial were followed up for 12 months after their cardiac surgical procedure. ⋯ The probability of dexamethasone being cost effective compared with placebo was 97% at a threshold value of £17,000 [€20,000] per quality-adjusted life year. We conclude that intra-operative high-dose dexamethasone did not have an effect on major adverse events at 12 months after cardiac surgery, but was associated with a reduction in costs. Routine dexamethasone administration is expected to be cost effective at commonly accepted threshold levels for cost effectiveness.
-
This prospective study was designed to evaluate gastric volume and content in patients with renal failure and healthy controls after an overnight fast, immediately after a light meal and at 6 h after the meal. Thirty subjects in each group were recruited. At each scanning session, gastric antral cross-sectional area was measured in the supine recumbent and right lateral decubitus positions, and a qualitative assessment of gastric contents was made using the Perlas three-point grading system. ⋯ In terms of the qualitative assessments of gastric contents, all subjects had an empty stomach after an overnight fast. Five patients with renal failure and no controls had Perlas grade 2 images, indicating significant gastric contents, 6 h after a meal (p = 0.026). This study supports the use of bedside gastric ultrasound as a point-of-care test for patients with known risk factors for delayed gastric emptying.
-
We investigated the flow rates of 25-G and 27-G spinal needles, of 90-mm and 120-mm lengths, from Vygon, BD, B. Braun and Pajunk; the needles had either a Luer connector, or a Surety® or UniVia® non-Luer connector. We used a bench-top model of entering the spinal space, pressurised to 35 cmH2 O to simulate cerebrospinal fluid pressure in the sitting position. ⋯ All of the needle types showed a greater weight of fluid collected using the non-Luer compared with the Luer version, with six of the 14 needle types showing a significant difference. Significant variations in flow were also seen between the same needle type from different manufacturers. We conclude that changing from Luer to non-Luer versions of spinal needles does not merely change the hub design and connection, but may introduce important differences in function.
-
Neuraxial anaesthesia is widely used in obstetrics and neurological complications are rare. However, when they occur, subsequent investigation and management are time-critical and correlate with the extent of neurological recovery. The Third National Audit Project recommended the implementation of guidelines in obstetric epidural management, including advice on monitoring for early signs of problems and acting upon concerns. ⋯ We determined that post-neuraxial blockade monitoring in the UK is highly variable: only 63/112 (56.3%) respondents' units had a monitoring policy in place, although most of these did not undertake formal neurological monitoring, and a range of different monitoring methods and schedules were employed. In 12/63 (19%) local policies, the first review of neurology was performed at the standard postoperative visit the following day, and 66/112 (58.9%) units had no protocol in place to address emergency management of abnormally prolonged neuraxial blockade. Where a policy was in place, the initial recommended action and the type of imaging used were variable.