British journal of anaesthesia
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Influence of induction technique on intubating conditions after rocuronium in adults: comparison with rapid-sequence induction using thiopentone and suxamethonium.
We have assessed the effect of anaesthetic technique on intubating conditions after rocuronium 0.6 mg kg-1 in four groups (n = 25 each) of unpremedicated patients in whom anaesthesia was induced with either thiopentone 5 mg kg-1 or propofol 2.5 mg kg-1 alone, or supplemented with alfentanil 20 micrograms kg-1. Fifty control patients were anaesthetized with thiopentone followed by suxamethonium. Laryngoscopy was commenced at 45 s. ⋯ However, intubation time was similar in all five groups and averaged 55 (SD 3.2) s, and the tube could be passed through open vocal cords within 70 s. After rocuronium the response of the diaphragm to intubation was more pronounced in the two groups of patients not receiving alfentanil (P < 0.0001) and in patients anaesthetized using propofol with alfentanil (P < 0.01) than in the control group. Opioids (in doses equivalent to alfentanil 20 micrograms kg-1) constitute an integral part of an induction regimen containing rocuronium 0.6 mg kg-1, regardless of whether or not thiopentone or propofol is used, in order to achieve overall intubating conditions similar to those after suxamethonium.
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
Thoracic impedance used for measuring chest wall movement in postoperative patients.
Thoracic impedance (TTI) and rib cage inductance band (IB) signals were measured in 10 patients during the first night after abdominal surgery, and compared by successive correlation of the change in each signal. Poor matching of the signals occurred, on average, for 94 min either because of movement of differences in the waveform. There were frequent episodes of transient poor correlation, generally associated with transient respiratory disturbance, predominantly airway obstruction (58%). Thoracic impedance measurements are simpler than inductance band methods for detecting rib cage movement and may be useful for large studies of respiratory abnormalities in patients after operation.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Intubating conditions and time course of rocuronium-induced neuromuscular block in children.
We have investigated the potential of rocuronium 0.6 mg kg-1 (2xED95) and 0.9 mg kg-1 (3xED95) for rapid sequence induction in 100 children, aged 3-7 yr. Intubating conditions with the two different doses of rocuronium were assessed in 70 children (n = 35 in each group) undergoing elective surgery. Intubation was carried out by mimicking rapid sequence induction, and intubation conditions were evaluated according to a standard score. ⋯ Three times the ED95 induced deeper neuromuscular block, 1 min after injection compared with 2xED95 (twitch height: 42 (24) vs 25 (19)%, respectively; P < 0.05). The same was true for onset time (193 (47) vs 118 (23) s; P < 0.01), clinical duration (21 (4) vs 34 (11) min; P < 0.01) and duration to 75% recovery (30 (6) vs 44 (4) min; P < 0.01). By mimicking rapid sequence induction, both doses of rocuronium offered clinically acceptable (good or excellent) intubating conditions.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Spinal anaesthesia with 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine in elderly patients: effect of site of injection on spread of analgesia.
In this randomized, observer-blind study, we have examined, in elderly patients, the effect of site of injection on analgesia levels after spinal injection of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine solution. Thirty male patients, aged 68-87 yr, undergoing minor urological surgery during spinal anaesthesia received 3 ml of a 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine solution at either the L3-4 (n = 15) or L4-5 (n = 15) interspace. The solution was injected with the patient in the sitting position. ⋯ The highest analgesia levels did not differ between groups (medians were approximately T7). There were no significant differences in the time to maximum cephalad spread of analgesia, maximum degree of motor block or haemodynamic changes. We conclude that injection at the L4-5 interspace has no advantage compared with injection at the L3-4 interspace.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Effect of oral antihistamine premedication on mivacurium-induced histamine release and side effects.
In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, we have examined histamine release, haemodynamic and cutaneous effects of mivacurium administered in low (0.105 mg kg-1 = 1.5 x ED95) and high (0.21 mg kg-1 = 3 x ED95) doses and assessed if oral pretreatment with H1/H2 antagonists would blunt the effects of mivacurium-induced histamine release. Patients received either ranitidine 300 mg and dimethindene 0.1 mg kg-1 (H1 blocker) or placebo, orally 1 h before induction of anaesthesia. Twelve patients were allocated to each group. ⋯ Plasma concentrations of histamine increased significantly in five patients in the placebo group after high-dose mivacurium and the mean value was increased. There was no consistent correlation between haemodynamic changes, cutaneous manifestations and histamine concentrations. Significant cardiovascular reactions occurred in six patients in the placebo groups and in only one patient treated with antihistamines.