British journal of anaesthesia
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Comparative Study
Cerebral haemodynamics in pregnancy and pre-eclampsia as assessed by transcranial Doppler ultrasonography.
Altered cerebral circulation, as reported during normal pregnancy, and in patients with pre-eclampsia, can be associated with changes in cerebral vascular reactivity and/or cerebral autoregulation. The aim of our study was to perform a comparative assessment of cerebral haemodynamics, including vascular reactivity and autoregulation, in pre-eclamptic patients, healthy pregnant women, and healthy non-pregnant women. ⋯ Healthy pregnancy increases eCPP, presumably by decreasing CrCP. In pre-eclampsia, eCPP is maintained at the same level as in healthy pregnancy despite an increased MAP. Pre-eclampsia has no significant effect on cerebral autoregulation or CRCO(2).
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Defluorination of sevoflurane is catalysed by the hepatic enzyme cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1). Data about the ontogenesis (developmental variations in activity) of this enzyme suggest a low metabolism of sevoflurane during the first months of life. ⋯ These results suggest that, in children less than 48 months, sevoflurane metabolism parallels postnatal development of CYP2E1.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Efficacy of intravenous magnesium in neuropathic pain.
Postherpetic neuralgia is a complication of acute herpes zoster characterized by severe pain and paraesthesia in the skin area affected by the initial infection. There is evidence that the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor is involved in the development of hypersensitivity states and it is known that magnesium blocks the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor. ⋯ The present study supports the concept that the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor is involved in the control of postherpetic neuralgia.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Spinal anaesthesia: comparison of plain ropivacaine 5 mg ml(-1) with bupivacaine 5 mg ml(-1) for major orthopaedic surgery.
Ropivacaine provides effective spinal anaesthesia for total hip arthroplasty. This study was designed to compare the efficacy and safety of plain ropivacaine with plain bupivacaine for spinal anaesthesia in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty. ⋯ Intrathecal administration of either 17.5 mg plain ropivacaine or 17.5 mg plain bupivacaine was well tolerated and an adequate block for total hip arthroplasty was achieved in all patients. A more rapid postoperative recovery of sensory and motor function was seen in Group R compared with Group B.