British journal of anaesthesia
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Bolus dose remifentanil for control of haemodynamic response to tracheal intubation during rapid sequence induction of anaesthesia.
The effect of three bolus doses of remifentanil on the pressor response to laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation during rapid sequence induction of anaesthesia was assessed in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in four groups of 20 patients each. After preoxygenation, anaesthesia was induced with thiopental 5-7 mg kg-1 followed immediately by saline (placebo) or remifentanil 0.5, 1.0 or 1.25 micrograms kg-1 given as a bolus over 30 s. Cricoid pressure was applied just after loss of consciousness. ⋯ Arterial pressure and heart rate were recorded at intervals until 5 min after intubation. Remifentanil 0.5 microgram kg-1 was ineffective in controlling the increase in heart rate and arterial pressure after intubation but the 1.0 and 1.25 micrograms kg-1 doses were effective in controlling the response. The use of the 1.25 micrograms kg-1 dose was however, associated with a decrease in systolic arterial pressure to less than 90 mm Hg in seven of 20 patients.
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Case Reports
Epidural haematoma after removal of an epidural catheter in a patient receiving high-dose enoxaparin.
A patient developed an epidural haematoma 6 days after removal of an epidural catheter resulting in paraplegia and death. Insertion and removal of the epidural catheter during anticoagulation with prophylactic unfractionated heparin and subsequent administration of high-dose enoxaparin (Clexane), which commenced 3 days after catheter removal, were implicated.
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We have examined the response of lumbar dorsal horn cells to a noxious mechanical stimulus during differential delivery of isoflurane to the brain and spinal cord of goats. We hypothesized that isoflurane, acting in the brain, would depress dorsal horn neuronal responses to a noxious mechanical stimulus applied to the hindlimb. Eight goats were anaesthetized with isoflurane and neck dissections performed which allowed cranial bypass. ⋯ When the torso isoflurane concentration was 1.3%, decreasing cranial isoflurane from 1.3% to 0.3% did not significantly affect dorsal horn responses (from mean 325 (SD 262) to 379 (412) impulses min-1; P < 0.05). However, when torso isoflurane was 0.8%, decreasing cranial isoflurane from 1.3% to 0.3% increased mean evoked dorsal horn activity by 42% (388 (359) to 551 (452) impulses min-1; P < 0.05). These data suggest that the major effect of isoflurane on dorsal horn responses to noxious stimuli is direct, but there is an indirect effect occurring via descending projections from supraspinal regions.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Comparison of intrathecal and epidural diamorphine for elective caesarean section using a combined spinal-epidural technique.
To assess calculated equivalent doses of intrathecal and epidural opioids for elective Caesarean section in terms of quality and duration of analgesia, and incidence of side effects, we have compared 50 patients, allocated randomly to one of two groups to receive either diamorphine 0.25 mg intrathecally (group 1) or 5 mg epidurally (group 2), in addition to intrathecal bupivacaine 10 mg, using a combined spinal-epidural technique. There was no significant difference in duration of analgesia between groups (group 1 mean 14.6 (SD 5.9) h, group 2 14.2 (6.5) h; mean difference 0.8 h; 95% Cl -2.8-4.5; P = 0.65) or quality of analgesia (VAPS and VRS scores). The degree of pruritus was similar in both groups (80-88%) but the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting was significantly higher in the epidural group (24% vs 4%; P < 0.05). Intrathecal diamorphine 0.25 mg produced the same duration and quality of postoperative analgesia as epidural diamorphine 5 mg for elective Caesarean section but with significantly less nausea and vomiting.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Comparison of midwife top-ups, continuous infusion and patient-controlled epidural analgesia for maintaining mobility after a low-dose combined spinal-epidural.
We studied 133 women given a combined spinal-epidural for analgesia in labour. The initial intrathecal dose contained bupivacaine 2.5 mg with fentanyl 25 micrograms. When the mothers were comfortable, they were allocated randomly to one of three groups: continuous infusion (group Cl, n = 46), midwife top-ups (group MW, n = 43) or patient-controlled epidural analgesia (group PCEA, n = 44), to maintain analgesia throughout labour. ⋯ Four hours after combined spinal-epidural analgesia, 88.1% of women could SLR in group MW, 83.7% in group PCEA and 57.8% in group Cl (P = 0.002). Total use of bupivacaine was highest in group Cl (mean 11.3 (SD 3.3) mg h-1) compared with group MW (7.5 (3.1) mg h-1) and group PCEA (9.1 (2.1) mg h-1) (P < 0.001). Analgesia was similar between groups and overall satisfaction was equally high.