Der Anaesthesist
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
[Nosocomial infections intensive care units. A nation-wide prevalence study].
In a large, multicenter survey in 1994, the prevalence of nosocomial infections in German hospitals was examined, predominant pathogens were identified, and possible risk factors evaluated. In this paper the results from the intensive care units (ICUs) are presented. ⋯ Nosocomial infections are seen far more often in ICUs than on normal wards due to the immuno-suppressed state of many ICU patients and the continuous use of invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Most of these infections are of endogenous origin. Other prevalence surveys have shown results comparable to ours. Daily changing of ventilation tubes is no longer necessary, but is still routine in many hospitals. Infusion sets were also changed more often than required. The use of selective decontamination of the digestive tract for the prevention of pneumonia is still controversial; in our study it was practised in only 1.5% of the cases. The most commonly used drugs for the prevention of stress ulcers were H2-receptor blocking agents, although it has been shown that sucralfate is the better choice, as it can help prevent nosocomial pneumonia. Routine microbiological surveillance of tracheal aspirates and urine was done in 25.9% and 24.6% of the ICUs. No study so far has shown that routine cultures of tracheal secretions and urine have a preventive effect regarding infection.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
[Comparison of sufentanil-propofol-anesthesia with fentanyl-propofol in major abdominal surgery].
Major abdominal surgery often leads to a marked sympathoadrenal stress response with high concentrations of plasma catecholomines, hypertension, and tachycardia. We compared the effects of sufentanil-propofol with fentanyl-propofol anaesthesia in a controlled, randomised, double-blind study of 18 ASA I-II patients aged 23-64 years undergoing major abdominal surgery. Study parameters were haemodynamics (heart rate [HR], arterial [ABP], central venous, and pulmonary arterial pressures, cardiac index [CI]), arterial catecholamine concentrations, and the median frequency of the electroencephalogram (EEG) power spectrum. ⋯ With both regimens, the sympathoadrenal stress response to major abdominal surgery was nearly completely suppressed, resulting in stable haemodynamics during the operations. Sufentanil and fentanyl were equally well suited as analgesic components of total i.v. anaesthesia with propofol.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
[Thromboembolism prevention with low dose heparin and spinal anesthesia--a risky combination?].
Spinal or intracranial haematoma is a rare but severe complication of spinal/epidural anaesthesia with an incidence of less than 1:100,000. Coagulation defects, traumatic puncture, and anticoagulant drugs are assumed to be risk factors for the development of this kind of haematoma. Whether the risk of bleeding after spinal/epidural anaesthesia is increased by the administration of low-dose heparin (unfractionated or fractionated) for thromboprophylaxis is currently under discussion. ⋯ We suggest that the development of spinal or intracranial haematoma after spinal/epidural anaesthesia is a multifactorial event. An influence of low-dose heparin prophylaxis as a cofactor cannot wholly be excluded because of the difficulty of studying the problem in a prospective way. The few case reports have to be seen in the context of millions of patients who have received either unfractionated or LMW heparin and lumbar or thoracic regional anaesthesia without any complication. We conclude that low-dose heparin prophylaxis (fractionated or unfractionated) is not a definite contraindication to spinal/epidural anaesthesia. High-risk (ASA III/IV) patients in particular benefit from effective postoperative analgesia achieved by local anaesthetics in combination with effective heparin thromboprophylaxis. Nevertheless, the absolute contraindications for regional anaesthesia must be respected and an individual risk/benefit analysis should be performed for every patient. An adequate time interval between application of heparin and regional anaesthesia or removal of a spinal/epidural catheter, atraumatic puncture technique, and careful neurologic monitoring during the post-operative period can minimise the risk of complications.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
[Cardiovascular effects after bolus administration of cisatracurium. A comparison with vecuronium].
Cisatracurium-one of the ten stereoisomers of atracurium-is an intermediate long-acting non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent. Cardiovascular reactions have been described after administration of cisatracurium or vecuronium in surgical patients. ⋯ After the administration of cisatracurium in two different doses (3xED95 and 5xED95) or vecuronium (3xED90) only minor cardiovascular changes were observed. Both drugs proved to be safe for use during induction of anaesthesia in patients ASA I-II. With regard to its cardiovascular effects, cisatracurium shares with vecuronium the requirements of an ideal muscle relaxant.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
[The effect of convection warming during abdominal surgery on the early postoperative heat balance].
Hypothermia (core temperature < 36 degrees C) is common after longer-lasting surgical procedures. Heat loss mainly occurs during anaesthesia and surgery and leads to increased risk, especially in the early recovery period of elderly patients. In the present study we investigated the effects of intraoperative forced-air warming, administered via an upper-body blanket ("Warm Touch", Mallinckrodt, USA), with the specific aims of: (1) drawing up heat balances; and (2) analysing postoperative thermoregulation, oxygen consumption (VO2) and cardiovascular reactions of mechanically ventilated patients. The general aim of our study was to compare intraoperative forced-air-warming and conventional patient-insulation with cotton blankets. ⋯ Both groups were comparable for gender, body weight, height, age, duration of their operations and amount of intraoperative fluids, narcotics and muscle relaxants. Room temperatures in the control group were significantly higher than in the forced air group (24 vs 22 degrees C). Initial setting of the forced-air blower was "high" (42-46 degrees high air flow). When the oesophageal-temperature reached 36.5 degrees C, the blower temperature was reduced to 36-40 degrees C. Reduction was necessary approximately 60 min from start in the operation. At the end of surgery/administration to the ICU core-temperatures of both groups differed significantly (35.2/ 35.4 degrees C vs 36.3/36.2 degrees C). Mean-skin temperatures were higher, too, but no statistical analysis was carried out for the intraoperative period, because warm air influenced skin thermometers located on the upper body. At admission to the ICU patients in the control group had a heat loss of 4.4 kJ/kg; those in the convective warming group had a heat-gain of 0.8 kJ/kg. Further measurements of postoperative core temperatures did not differ significantly, but the skin-temperatures of patients who received forced-air warming in the theatre remained higher (P < 0.05) until 120 min from the end of surgery. Shivering was more frequent and lasted longer in the control group (8 patients, 20 min vs 4 patients, 9 min; P < 0.05). Patients in the control group needed more drugs to stop increased cardiovascular reactions (hypertension, tachycardia) or shivering.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)