British journal of anaesthesia
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Severe coagulopathies can occur during liver transplantation, particularly after reperfusion of the grafted liver. Heparin release has been proposed as one of the factors contributing to this coagulopathy. ⋯ In almost all cases an abnormal native TEG was improved in vitro by heparinase, demonstrating the presence of heparin or a heparin-like substance. The heparinase-modified TEG allowed assessment of the underlying coagulation status, providing a rational guide to blood component replacement or treatment of fibrinolysis.
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We undertook a study to observe if a preformed curved plastic cannula, the Trachojet, could be passed blindly down a laryngeal mask airway into the trachea in 100 anaesthetized patients. Using air aspiration and a fibreoptic scope to confirm placement of the cannula, it passed into the trachea in only 27% of patients. The air aspiration technique used for detecting tracheal cannulation was 100% successful when the cannula was inserted fully. We conclude that it may not be possible to gain access to the trachea with a Trachojet for drug administration if a laryngeal mask airway is used to maintain the patient's airway.
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The maximum recommended dose for extradural infusions of bupivacaine in children older than 1 month is 0.5 mg kg-1 h-1 but there are few specific reports of the associated blood concentrations during infusions in babies. Toxic symptoms can occur in children at plasma concentrations of bupivacaine as low as 2 micrograms ml-1. We attempted to measure venous plasma concentrations of total and free bupivacaine in babies aged 3-12 months during extradural infusions given at a rate commonly used in our hospital. ⋯ One baby had a concentration of 2.02 micrograms ml-1 at 32 h and showed clear evidence of accumulation of bupivacaine. Babies can accumulate bupivacaine and achieve plasma concentrations above the threshold for toxic side effects, despite infusion rates below the currently accepted maximum. The samples size in our study was small but we believe an extradural infusion rate of 0.375 mg kg-1 h-1 is probably an absolute maximum for babies younger than 12 months.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Comparison of induction and recovery between sevoflurane and halothane supplementation of anaesthesia in children undergoing outpatient dental extractions.
We have compared sevoflurane and halothane in a double-blind controlled study for supplementation of nitrous oxide and oxygen anaesthesia in 80 children undergoing dental extraction as outpatients. Induction of anaesthesia was more rapid in those who received sevoflurane compared with those who received halothane (89 s compared with 127 s for loss of eyelash reflex). In both groups, mean duration of administration of anaesthesia was less than 4 min. ⋯ The incidence of complications during induction and maintenance was low in both groups and return to normal appetite and activity occurred in the majority of children on the same day. More children who received halothane suffered nausea after leaving hospital. We conclude that sevoflurane is a suitable alternative to halothane, with more rapid induction of anaesthesia, but in these short procedures, awakening time was slower than after halothane.
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
Metabolic effects of i.v. propacetamol, metamizol or external cooling in critically ill febrile sedated patients.
We have measured the metabolic response to sequential administration of propacetamol, metamizol and/or external cooling in 20 febrile patients under sedation and analgesia and during mechanical ventilation. There was no change in temperature (T degree) after propacetamol therapy, whereas after metamizol only a small decrease was noted (from 38.9 (SEM 0.2) to 38.5 (0.3) degrees C; P = 0.02). External cooling produced a significant decrease in T degree (39.1 (0.2) to 37.1 (0.2) degrees C; P < 0.0001) accompanied by a decrease in energy expenditure (EE) (2034 (73) to 1791 (88) kcal day-1; P < 0.004). ⋯ There were no other changes in haemodynamics or pulmonary gas exchanges. We conclude that propacetamol and metamizol did not produce a clinically significant decrease in T degree in febrile ICU patients whereas external cooling decreased both T degree and EE. The parallel decrease in body temperature and EE seemed to be related to opioid administration or sedation, or both.