British journal of anaesthesia
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Tracheal intubation without neuromuscular block in children.
We have studied 80 healthy children, aged 2-14 yr, undergoing adenotonsillectomy in a double-blind, randomized design. Tracheal intubation facilitated by either suxamethonium 1.5 mg kg-1 or alfentanil 15 micrograms kg-1 was compared after induction of anaesthesia with propofol 3-4 mg kg-1. ⋯ Fewer patients coughed (P < 0.014) and limb movement was less common (P < 0.007) after tracheal intubation facilitated by suxamethonium. Alfentanil attenuated the haemodynamic responses to tracheal intubation.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Influence of droperidol on nausea and vomiting during patient-controlled analgesia.
We have studied the addition of droperidol to morphine during patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) in 57 patients using PCA after abdominal hysterectomy. Patients in group 1 (control group) received placebo at induction of anaesthesia and a PCA containing morphine; those in group 2 received droperidol 1.25 mg and a PCA containing morphine and those in group 3 droperidol and a PCA containing droperidol 0.05 mg mg-1 of morphine. ⋯ We did not observe side effects attributable to droperidol. We conclude that droperidol added to morphine in PCA reduces nausea and antiemetic requirements after abdominal hysterectomy.
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We have evaluated the disposition of milrinone in seven patients with low cardiac output after elective cardiac surgery involving cardiopulmonary bypass. Patients received a loading dose of milrinone 50 micrograms kg-1 given over 10 min followed immediately by an infusion of 0.5 microgram kg-1 min-1, continued for a minimum of 5 h. ⋯ Concentrations greater than 100 ng ml-1 were produced in all patients within 2 min of starting the loading dose and were maintained for the duration of the infusion. Volume of distribution, clearance and terminal half-life were similar to those found in patients with chronic cardiac failure.
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A late development model of the Tec 6 vaporizer for the administration of desflurane vapour has been evaluated. It is heated electrically and has both electronic monitors of vaporizer function and alarms. The new filling system is a significant improvement over previous Tec filling systems. The vaporizer requires a warm-up period before it may be used, but when activated it provides an output that is approximately linear between 1 and 18% vapour concentrations, at flow rates between 200 ml min-1 and 10 litre min-1.