Der Anaesthesist
-
Increased perception of the risks of homologous blood transfusion has focused substantial interest on autologous blood transfusion (ABT). To evaluate the role of ABT in the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), we conducted postal surveys of German hospitals in 1989 and 1993. In the present study, the responses of 143 hospitals in the "old" federal states (former West Germany) that replied to both of our surveys were analysed. ⋯ CONCLUSIONS. Although the 143 hospitals are not representative on a national level, the findings of our study allow some conclusions on general trends in the "old" states of the FRG. The potential for ABT has substantially grown in the "old" states from 1989 to 1993, although more consistent advantage of this potential could be taken.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
[Anxiolysis, sedation, and stress reduction following oral premedication with midazolam in adults. A comparison with dipotassium clorazepate and placebo].
Benzodiazepines are the most commonly used anxiolytic agents. Among the benzodiazepines, midazolam has the advantage of a short elimination half-life, which is especially useful in outpatient surgery. However, in contrast to other commonly prescribed benzodiazepines, such as chlorazepate dipotassium, oral premedication with midazolam has not been thoroughly investigated. ⋯ The anxiolytic effects of 7.5 mg midazolam and 20 mg clorazepate dipotassium were similar after oral application. However, the anxiolytic effect of midazolam is shorter-lived than that of clorazepate dipotassium. In contrast to clorazepate dipotassium, midazolam produced no increase in arterial blood pressure and stabilized oral salivation, production in the palms, muscle tension and motoric restlessness.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
[Intubation conditions following administration of atracurium and vecuronium. Bolus method versus priming technique].
Prompted by the ongoing discussion of the pros and cons of using succinylcholine, this study was conducted to compare the responses to bolus injections of atracurium or vecuronium with those after sequential injection of these drugs (priming principle). We evaluated the earliest possible intubation times, intubating conditions, and the onset times (i.e. times from the end of injection to the maximum blockade) under conditions approaching real use as closely as possible. METHODS. ⋯ The administration of the relaxants in divided doses significantly shortened the intubating time after atracurium (100 vs 124 s) and improved the intubating conditions of vecuronium (good vs tolerable), but had no effect on the time course of the neuromuscular blockade (onset times in the bolus groups 224 +/- 84 s for atracurium and 209 +/- 64 s for vecuronium; in the priming groups 249 +/- 112 s for atracurium and 205 +/- 52 s for vecuronium). CONCLUSIONS. The priming technique presented here is clinically superior to the bolus method and therefore should be preferred in all elective cases and in those patients in whom succinylcholine is contraindicated.