British journal of anaesthesia
-
We have examined, under reproducible conditions, the resistance to airflow of complete anaesthetic breathing systems (Magill, Coaxial Lack, Parallel Lack and Bain systems) and components of these systems. All systems had resistances within the recommended ranges at all flows likely to be experienced in normal clinical practice. The Magill system had the lowest resistance under all conditions. It is concluded that comparisons should be made only between complete breathing systems.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Effect of prolonged sedation with propofol on serum triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations.
We compared changes in serum lipid concentrations in ICU patients receiving a 3-day continuous infusion of propofol with those in patients receiving conventional sedation. No adverse effects were observed and the serum lipid concentrations were not significantly influenced by propofol. It is concluded that propofol might be a suitable agent for long-term sedation in the ICU, although serum lipid concentrations should be monitored throughout its administration.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Alfentanil obtunds the cardiovascular and sympathoadrenal responses to suxamethonium-facilitated laryngoscopy and intubation.
Alfentanil 75 micrograms kg-1 or saline (control group) was given 1 min before induction of anaesthesia in 20 healthy patients premedicated with diazepam 0.14 mg kg-1 and pethidine 1 mg kg-1. Anaesthesia was induced with a sleep dose of thiopentone preceded by glycopyrrolate. Suxamethonium 1 mg kg-1 was used to facilitate laryngoscopy (which lasted 10 s) and tracheal intubation. ⋯ All these changes were attenuated in patients pretreated with alfentanil (n = 10), but four patients had chest wall rigidity. Changes in the QT interval correlated directly with the changes in plasma noradrenaline concentration (r = 0.67). Plasma adrenaline concentrations decreased during induction of anaesthesia in both groups.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Influence of preoperative gastric aspiration on the volume and pH of gastric contents in obstetric patients undergoing caesarean section.
Aspiration of gastric contents, the most common anaesthetic cause of maternal mortality, is decreased by emptying of the stomach and the use of antacids and H2-receptor antagonists. One hundred and eighty-three mothers presenting for emergency Cesarean section were allocated to three groups. In group 1, the stomach was emptied before operation via an orogastric tube and thereafter 30 ml of sodium citrate 0.3 mol litre-1 was ingested 5-15 min before induction of general anaesthesia (our usual practice). ⋯ However, the use of ranitidine and sodium citrate is preferred at subsequent times. Although our data show that preoperative gastric emptying decreased the mean intragastric volumes before Caesarean section, the number of patients at risk of acid aspiration was not reduced. In view of these findings and the unpleasantness of orogastric intubation, we suggest that routine preoperative gastric aspiration via an orogastric tube is not justified, although the manoeuvre should still be used following a recent meal.