Der Anaesthesist
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Review Comparative Study
[The meaningfulness of central venous blood samples. Central venous versus mixed venous O2 status].
Both mixed-venous and "central-venous" oxygen status (O2 partial pressure [pO2], O2 saturation [sO2], O2 concentration [cO2], hemoglobin concentration [cHb]) are often considered to adequately represent total-body oxygen supply. Since modern technology has made continuously in vivo measurement possible, mixed-venous O2 saturation (svO2) and partial O2 saturation (psO2) have become extensively used for that purpose. Both venous sites of measurement are used as diagnostic adjuncts regarding hemodynamic status. ⋯ The best parameters for interpreting the cardiovascular situation seem to be arteriovenous O2 difference (avDO2) and C. O. In particular, the avDO2 can be accepted as an integrating parameter for AO2 and QO2, and may therefore serve as a diagnostic indication of cardiovascular imbalance.
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This prospective study investigated the effects of standard pharmacotherapy in out-of-hospital ventricular fibrillation (VF) after i.v. or endobronchial (e.b.) administration of epinephrine and lidocaine. METHODS. Only patients presenting with out-of-hospital VF were included in this study, whereby VF of noncardiac origin was excluded. ⋯ Recommended doses are 2.5 mg for epinephrine and 400-500 mg for lidocaine. Resuscitation from VF requires immediate epinephrine therapy if initial defibrillation is not successful. Lidocaine has no effect on resuscitation from VF and therefore should be used specifically for antiarrhythmic therapy after restoration of spontaneous circulation.
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Sufentanil, a synthetic opioid that is 5-10 times as potent as fentanyl, has been suggested for use during neurosurgical procedures because it maintains cardiovascular stability and produces hypnosis without the use of additional anesthetic agents. Doses as low as 2.5 micrograms.kg-1 are reported to create deep levels of anesthesia as demonstrated by EEG changes to high-amplitude delta-waves. However, there are no reports concerning the effects of sufentanil on blood flow and metabolism in the human brain. ⋯ The increase in metabolic activity with sufentanil during hypocapnia might be caused by an alkalosis-induced stimulation of glycolysis. It might also be related to a reduction in the depth of anesthesia, although neither the EEG nor the hemodynamic parameters indicated this. This study shows that the coupling between CBF and metabolism is well maintained and that the cerebrovascular response to CO2 is unimpaired during high-dose sufentanil anesthesia.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
[Sinusitis in long-term intubated, intensive care patients: nasal versus oral intubation].
Discussion of paranasal sinusitis as a nosocomial infection in the mechanically ventilated intensive care (ICU) patient has recently been intensified. Some authors have emphasized nasotracheal intubation as a possible pathogenetic pathway. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of nasotracheal or orotracheal intubation on the development of sinusitis in ICU patients. ⋯ We found that patients intubated orotracheally developed significantly less sinusitis than those intubated nasotracheally. Edema, local infection of the nasal mucosa, or mechanical obstruction of sinus drainage pathways by the tube are possible explanations. The fact that 63% of orally intubated patients had a pathologic maxillary sinus finding as well suggests that in addition to other reasons, an increased central venous pressure, positive pressure ventilation, and the supine position must be regarded as predisposing factors that increase the incidence of sinusitis. We conclude that the conditions of critically ill patients predispose to the development of sinusitis. Nasotracheal intubation is to be regarded as an additional risk, and therefore oral intubation should be preferred.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
[The prevention of postoperative vomiting following strabismus surgery in children].
Children recovering from anaesthesia for strabismus surgery are particularly prone to nausea and vomiting as a result of intraoperative vagus irritation. Besides being disturbing to the patient, vomiting can be dangerous during emergence from anesthesia and can result in delayed discharge. Droperidol is a powerful antiemetic drug that has been shown to reduce the incidence and severity of postoperative nausea and vomiting in pediatric strabismus patients, although the best timing for administration is not clear. ⋯ The lower incidence of vomiting in all study groups compared to the literature is thought to be due to three factors: (1) emptying the stomach at the end of the operation by a gastric tube, which is removed before extubation; (2) avoidance of opioids; (3) surgical procedure being done by a very experienced surgeon in 57/61 children (12 vomiting versus 45 not vomiting) in contrast to 3/4 children vomiting postoperatively after surgery by a less experienced surgeon. CONCLUSIONS. We recommend preoperative droperidol 75 micrograms/kg i.v. as the best prophylaxis of postoperative emesis without severe side effects in pediatric strabismus surgery.