Der Anaesthesist
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Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
[Total intravenous anesthesia with propofol and remifentanil. Results of a multicenter study of 6,161 patients].
The aim of this study was to investigate efficacy and tolerability of propofol, remifentanil and cisatracurium or mivacurium in routine anesthetic practice. ⋯ The study showed that total intravenous anesthesia using propofol, remifentanil and cisatracurium or mivacurium is safe, tolerable and effective and has a high degree of acceptance.
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There can be few more daunting challenges for the emergency physician than an infant or small child in shock or cardiac arrest. At the best of times, the combination of small veins and abundant subcutaneous tissue makes vascular access difficult or impossible, even in experienced hands. For these situations, the intraosseous vascular access is an easy, rapid and safe alternative. ⋯ Access should be obtained with a commercially available intraosseous needle. All emergency drugs and infusion fluids for intravenous usage can safely be infused via the intraosseous route (except hypertonic solutions) and it is not necessary to adjust drug dosage compared to the intravenous route. To avoid complications caused by the intraosseous needle, such as osteomyelitis, it should be replaced within 2 h by a conventional vascular access.
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A solution to managing intubation difficulties during anaesthesia induction is described in this article. After two attempts at laryngoscopy had failed, endotracheal intubation was achieved by the combined use of a laryngoscope and the Bonfils rigid fiberscope. ⋯ After securing a good view of the vocal cords, the tube was successfully inserted into the trachea. The entire procedure of intubation was accomplished within 20 s.
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The preclinical tension pneumothorax which even without technical support is easily recognizable, requires immediate decompression. However, there are a number of patients with thoracic injuries such as serial rib fractures or palpable skin emphysema which--in combination with a ventilator--may necessitate the insertion of a thoracic tube. In the preclinical setting this procedure usually only takes place in the ventilated patient. With patients who are respiratorily compensated and are breathing spontaneously, careful control and a conservative approach is advised even if pneumothorax is suspected.
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Even 30 years after its first publication the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is still used worldwide to describe and assess coma. The GCS consists of three components, the ocular, motor and verbal response to standardized stimulation, and is used as a severity of illness indicator for coma of various origins. The GCS facilitates information transfer and monitoring changes in coma. ⋯ Its prognostic value regarding the outcome after a traumatic brain injury still lacks evidence. One of the main problems is the evaluation of the GCS in sedated, paralysed and/or intubated patients. A multitude of pseudoscores exists but a universal definition has yet to be defined.