British journal of anaesthesia
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We have studied the onset and duration of action of rocuronium 0.6 mg kg-1 in patients receiving therapy for more than 1 month with beta-receptor blocking drugs (n = 16), calcium entry blocking drugs (n = 17) or anticonvulsant drugs (n = 14) and compared these data with those from a control group (n = 27). Anaesthesia comprised fentanyl, propofol infusion and nitrous oxide in oxygen. ⋯ Mean times to 25% recovery of T1 (first response in the TOF) and of the TOF ratio of 0.7 were 38 (SD 15) and 58 (22) min, 36 (8) and 61 (19) min, 40 (11) and 68 (22) min, and 25 (6) and 35 (9) min in the control, beta-blocker, calcium entry blocker and anticonvulsant groups, respectively (P < 0.01 between the anticonvulsant and other groups). We conclude that chronic therapy with anticonvulsant drugs reduces the duration of action of rocuronium.
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A Penlon Sigma isoflurane vaporizer was found to contain some diethyl ether. This had escaped from a ruptured temperature compensation device within the vaporizer. ⋯ Different types of vaporizer compensation devices are highlighted and the use of vapour analysers is discussed. We conclude that these analysers are invaluable for indicating that the patient is receiving the correct concentration of an inhalation agent but are of little use in the detection of all but a few possible contaminants.
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Comment Letter Case Reports
Cardiac arrest after caesarean section under subarachnoid block.
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Comment Letter Case Reports
Cardiac arrest after caesarean section under subarachnoid block.