Der Anaesthesist
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Clinical Trial
[Anesthetic regimen for HIV positive parturients undergoing elective cesarean section].
Worldwide, 50 million people are infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and 43% are women. Perinatal vertical transmission of HIV accounts for most new pediatric cases. Elective Cesarean delivery, combined antiretroviral therapy perioperatively and abandonment of breast-feeding postoperatively reduces vertical HIV transmission. However, the incidence of maternal and neonatal morbidity perioperatively is relatively unknown. The goal of the present study was to prospectively record perioperative maternal and neonatal complications in the largest HIV positive collective undergoing elective Cesarean section with spinal anesthesia published to date. ⋯ Intrathecal mepivacaine combined with sufentanil in HIV positive parturients undergoing elective Cesarean section is an appropriate anesthetic option. Postoperative maternal morbidity was 17%. Neonatal outcome showed no evidence of neonatal depression.
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Case Reports
[Epicardial echocardiography intraoperative diagnostic utility to assess valve function].
Epicardial echocardiography has been available since the early 1970s as an intraoperative diagnostic modality to assess ventricular and valvular function. With this technique, an ultrasonic transducer is placed directly on the epicardial surface of the heart, following sternotomy and pericardiotomy. Under the guidance of the cardiac anesthesiologist, the surgeon places the transducer so that the desired views of cardiac structures and great vessels can be obtained. ⋯ After weaning the patient from cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), epicardial echocardiography was used to confirm successful reconstruction of the valve and to exclude residual mitral regurgitation. The second patient was scheduled for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Prior to the initiation of CPB, the presence of moderate aortic stenosis was confirmed using Doppler echocardiography via an epicardial approach.
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Photo-acoustic infrared spectrometry is considered to be the gold standard for on-line measurement of anesthetic waste gas in room air. For maintenance of the precision of the measurements, the manufacturer recommends calibration of the gas monitor monitor every 3-12 months. We investigated whether the use of reference gases with analysis certificate could serve as a feasible alternative to commercial recalibration. ⋯ It seems to be advantageous that the precision can be determined whenever deemed necessary. This allows for an individual decision, when the gas monitor needs to be calibrated again. The costs for reference gases and working time as well as logistic aspects such as storage and expiration dates must be individually balanced against the costs for commercial recalibration.
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Controlled mechanical ventilation (CMV) may contribute to impaired hemodynamics in patients with respiratory failure. It is rational to assume that hybrid modalities of mechanical ventilation have fewer hemodynamic side-effects when spontaneous respiratory activity is allowed during the application of positive airway pressure. Partial liquid ventilation (PLV) has been shown to improve gas exchange in subjects with severe alveolar lung disease. ⋯ In another two series of animals with and without surfactant deficiency spontaneous breathing supported by PAV was associated with increased cardiac output, stroke volume and oxygen transport, as compared to CMV after pharmacologically induced muscle paralysis. An increased arterial and venous pH in animals with surfactant deficiency during spontaneous breathing supported by PAV suggests improved tissue perfusion. Furthermore, gas exchange was improved during spontaneous breathing supported by PAV as compared to CMV and muscle paralysis.