British journal of anaesthesia
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Effects of high inspired oxygen fraction during elective caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia on maternal and fetal oxygenation and lipid peroxidation.
Oxygen supplementation is given routinely to parturients undergoing Caesarean section under regional anaesthesia. While the aim is to improve fetal oxygenation, inspiring a high oxygen fraction (FIO2) can also increase free radical activity and lipid peroxidation in both the mother and baby. In this prospective, randomized, double-blind study, we investigated the effect of high inspired oxygen fraction (FIO2) on maternal and fetal oxygenation and oxygen free radical activity in parturients having Caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia. ⋯ We conclude that breathing high FIO2 modestly increased fetal oxygenation but caused a concomitant increase in oxygen free radical activity in both mother and fetus.
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This review focuses on the mechanisms and sites of action underlying beta-adrenergic antagonism in perioperative medicine. A large body of knowledge has recently emerged from basic and clinical research concerning the mechanisms of the life-saving effects of beta-adrenergic antagonists (beta-AAs) in high-risk cardiac patients. This article re-emphasizes the mechanisms underlying beta-adrenergic antagonism and also illuminates novel rationales behind the use of perioperative beta-AAs from a biological point of view. ⋯ Despite overwhelming evidence of benefit, beta-AAs are currently under-utilized in the perioperative period because of concerns of potential adverse effects and toxicity. The effects of acute administration of beta-AAs on cardiac function in the compromised patient and strategies to counteract potential adverse effects will be discussed in detail. This may help to overcome barriers to the initiation of perioperative treatment with beta-AAs in a larger number of high-risk cardiac patients undergoing surgery.
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We measured lung mechanics and gas exchange during one-lung ventilation (OLV) of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, using three respiratory rates (RR) and unchanged minute volume. ⋯ A reduction in RR reduces PEEPi and hypercapnia during OLV in anaesthetized patients with chronic obstructive lung disease.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Double-blind, placebo-controlled analgesic study of ibuprofen or rofecoxib in combination with paracetamol for tonsillectomy in children.
The analgesics used for paediatric tonsillectomy may be associated with side-effects such as sedation, respiratory depression and vomiting (opioids) or increased bleeding [non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)]. In our institution, we employ a combination of paracetamol, NSAID and opioid, although there is no published evidence of analgesic benefit from adding NSAIDs to paracetamol in children. ⋯ This study provides evidence to support the combination of ibuprofen (but not rofecoxib) with paracetamol for perioperative analgesia in children.
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Case Reports
Recurrent neurological symptoms in a patient following repeat combined spinal and epidural anaesthesia.
A healthy woman developed neurological symptoms after two consecutive Caesarean sections under combined spinal and epidural anaesthesia. Amethocaine was used for spinal anaesthesia and mepivacaine for epidural anaesthesia on both occasions, and a combination of fentanyl and bupivacaine was continuously infused for pain relief after the second. Her symptoms on both occasions were similar, including pain in the buttocks of 7-11 days duration and numbness in the sacral area of 5-6 months.