British journal of anaesthesia
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Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
Cytokine balance and immunosuppressive changes at cardiac surgery: contrasting response between patients and isolated CPB circuits.
In vitro work suggests that IL-10 plays a pivotal role in controlling the balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and monocyte HLA-DR expression. In 20 patients undergoing cardiac surgery, we investigated elaboration of interleukin 10 (IL-10) and its relationship to pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and leucocyte expression of HLA-DR and adhesion molecules. There were small increases in pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1, IL-8 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF) after induction, returning to baseline on induction of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). ⋯ The reduction in lymphocyte HLA-DR expression, observed throughout the study period (P < 0.01), was greater with fentanyl (P < 0.05). Monocyte HLA-DR expression increased (P < 0.05), but to a lesser extent with fentanyl (P > 0.05). In contrast with the in vivo response where there was a phased anti-inflammatory response beginning with IL-10, in the isolated CPB model no anti-inflammatory cytokine response occurred.
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Case Reports
Emergency use of the laryngeal mask airway in severe upper airway obstruction caused by supraglottic oedema.
We report two cases of severe upper airway obstruction caused by supraglottic oedema which developed rapidly at the time of anaesthesia. Conventional methods to relieve the obstruction failed and it was only overcome when a laryngeal mask airway (LMA) was inserted and positive pressure applied manually during inspiration. In one case a fibrescope was passed via the LMA and this revealed two cushions of oedematous false vocal cords protruding into the bowel of the LMA which were pushed out of the way when positive pressure was applied during inspiration. We believe that the LMA should be considered in the emergency management of severe upper airway obstruction even when this involves supraglottic oedema.
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Cusum analysis is a statistical technique to distinguish deviations from an acceptable failure rate. The progress of anaesthetic trainees learning four practical procedures (obstetric extradural anaesthesia, spinal anaesthesia, central venous cannulation and arterial cannulation) was monitored from their first attempt using cusum analysis. Suitable acceptable and unacceptable failure rates for each procedure were chosen by consultant anaesthetists. ⋯ Two records of central venous cannulation were inconclusive. Some records showed variable failure rates which were sometimes associated with lack of practice or a change in technique. Cusum analysis can be used to monitor training in practical procedures and as a continuous audit of quality of clinical practice.