Der Anaesthesist
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The present study evaluates the use of muscle relaxants for rapid-sequence induction (RSI) and different application techniques (pre-curarisation, priming, timing) as a part of a nationwide survey in Germany. In 86.8% of anaesthesia departments succinylcholine is used for RSI and an average of 56.5% of respondents used only succinylcholine for RSI. Of all non-depolarising muscle relaxants rocuronium is the most frequently used alternative. ⋯ Despite ist known side-effects and the on-going discussion over the past years, succinylcholine is still the most frequently used muscle relaxants for RSI. Priming is often declined by anaesthetists in Germany, most probably due to the absence of clear advantages and the possibility of severe complications. It is the opinion of the authors that timing but also drugs with a slow onset (e.g., alcuronium and Pancuronium) are obsolete in the context of RSI.
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Portable digital assistants (PDAs) may be of value to the anaesthesiologist as development in medical care is moving towards "bedside computing". Many different portable computers are currently available and it is now possible for the physician to carry a mobile computer with him all the time. ⋯ In this overview the possibilities for the use of PDAs in anaesthesia and intensive care medicine are discussed. Developments in other countries, possibilities in use but also problems such as data security and network technology are evaluated.
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Remifentanil is a 4-anilidopiperidine mu-opioid analgesic which is rapidly metabolized by unspecific blood and tissue esterases. According to its unique pharmacokinetic profile, remifentanil-based anaesthesia combines high-dosage opioid analgesia intraoperatively with a rapid and predictable postoperative awakening. ⋯ The present paper was designed to review the current knowledge on remifentanil and all aspects of its use in anaesthesiology. In addition, present data on the use of remifentanil for analgesia and sedation of the critically ill patient are summarized.
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Atypical cholinesterase prolongs the duration of neuromuscular blocking drugs such as succinylcholine and mivacurium. Measuring the dibucaine number identifies patients who are at risk. This study shows the frequency distribution of dibucaine numbers routinely measured and discusses avoidable clinical problems and economic implications. ⋯ An incidence of 1:1,400 of dibucaine numbers below 30 is higher than documented in the literature. Therefore, routine measurement of dibucaine number is a cost-effective method of identifying patients at increased risk of prolonged neuromuscular blockade due to atypical cholinesterase.